From knowledge translation to engaged scholarship: promoting research relevance and utilization

Area of Science:

• Healthcare research
• Knowledge translation
• Evidence-based practice

Background:

• Healthcare decision-making increasingly relies on evidence.
• Past efforts focused on research transfer yielded limited success.
• Current knowledge-to-action strategies need reevaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize effective strategies for promoting evidence-informed action.
• To trace the evolution of knowledge-to-action from research transfer to user engagement.
• To illustrate the strengths and limitations of various approaches in rehabilitation medicine.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on evidence-informed action.
• Analysis of the shift from linear research transfer to complex user engagement models.
• Illustration with concrete examples from rehabilitation medicine.

Main Results:

• Linear research transfer models have shown modest success.
• Complex strategies emphasizing user engagement are more effective.
• Various approaches have distinct strengths and limitations.

Conclusions:

• Moving beyond research transfer is crucial for evidence-informed practice.
• User engagement strategies are key to successful knowledge translation.
• Understanding approach limitations is vital for effective implementation in rehabilitation medicine.