Creative, strengths-based approaches to knowledge translation within indigenous health research

Good knowledge translation efforts can lead to significant changes in health status and service delivery. Although there is growing literature around ways to conduct knowledge translation within policy and health service delivery sectors, literature around how to conduct dissemination within indigenous community-based contexts remains scant.

Using creative, strengths-based approaches to not only return results but also to function as tools to address gaps in health knowledge as identified by participants and community members within intergenerational contexts was a central component applied to dissemination and knowledge translation.

We developed a series of seven key considerations that we applied to the creation of dissemination products from qualitative interviews and focus group discussions from two Manitoba, Canada-specific public health research projects with indigenous communities.

Products created (activity sheets, board game, and non-fiction storybooks) considered principles of timeliness, literacy level, feasibility of reproduction, and meeting the stated needs of study participants.

By creating products that seek not only to return study information but also to answer questions and address specific challenges identified by participants, it is possible to continue to engage in research that is meaningful and ethical and strengthens relationships with all stakeholders.