Translating evidence-based knowledge objects into practice.

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Organizational Studies
• Knowledge Translation

Background:

• Implementation science often focuses on general factors influencing knowledge adoption.
• Organizational translation theories provide a process-oriented view of how knowledge is spread and transformed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate how organizational translation theories can enrich implementation science.
• To introduce a process perspective on the implementation of knowledge objects in healthcare.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing Bruno Latour's concept of translation to understand knowledge dissemination.
• Analyzing the role of individual actors (translators) in modifying or appropriating knowledge.
• Examining the sequence of events, activities, and choices in knowledge translation processes.

Main Results:

• Proposes that the spread and modification of knowledge objects are driven by individual actions.
• Highlights the dynamic nature of knowledge implementation through human interaction.
• Suggests translation theories offer a detailed, situated understanding of implementation outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Organizational translation theories offer a valuable supplement to implementation science by providing a dynamic, actor-centered process view.
• Further research can explore propositions on knowledge object translation in healthcare organizations.
• Integrating these perspectives can deepen the understanding of how evidence-based practices are adopted and adapted in real-world settings.