Measuring organizational readiness for knowledge translation in chronic care

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Knowledge Translation
• Organizational Change Management

Background:

• Implementing research-based practices is crucial for addressing complex health challenges.
• The Chronic Care Model (CCM) guides chronic care improvement, but requires organizational readiness for knowledge translation (KT).
• Existing organizational readiness for change (ORC) instruments lack validity and specific adaptation for the knowledge-to-action (KTA) process.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a comprehensive instrument measuring organizational readiness for knowledge translation (OR for KT) in healthcare.
• To base the instrument on synthesized theoretical concepts and validate it through a Delphi study.
• To specifically test the instrument within chronic care settings for adopting patient-centered CCMs.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of ORC theories and instruments, followed by conceptual mapping and psychometric appraisal.
• Online Delphi study with Canadian decision-makers and knowledge users to assess concept importance in the KTA process.
• Development and validation of the OR for KT instrument in English and French, tested in chronic disease management.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge on explanatory models and instruments for assessing OR for KT.
• Increased consensus on theoretical underpinnings and instrumentation for OR for KT in chronic care.
• Development of a valid instrument to measure organizational readiness for knowledge translation.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a robust synthesis of knowledge regarding organizational readiness for knowledge translation.
• The developed instrument will enhance consensus on theoretical frameworks and measurement tools for OR for KT.
• The validated OR for KT instrument will empower chronic care settings to assess and improve their readiness for evidence-based practice implementation.