Translational Needs: Informing Tools to Close the Knowledge-to-Practice Gap in Suicide Prevention

Suicide is a major global health concern that accounts for approximately 1.4% of all deaths worldwide. Suicide prevention efforts face a number of implementation challenges. Some studies estimate it takes over 17 years for research innovations to be translated into practice. The delayed adoption of research into practice restricts patient benefits and wastes scarce resources. Developing ways to communicate research findings in formats that are accessible and valuable to those working in suicide prevention is crucial. Using a cross-sectional online survey, this research assessed the translational needs of stakeholders involved in Australian suicide prevention to determine ways to support the meaningful translation and dissemination of research findings. The survey was completed by 93 participants from a range of roles in the mental health and suicide prevention sector.

The study suggests that participants felt confident in their ability to access resources to improve their knowledge and recognised that existing research evidence influenced their work and preferred traditional and professional platforms for knowledge consumption such as conferences or journal articles. The survey found research that is informed and supported by lived experience is highly valued by stakeholders.

Key recommendations for the development of translational tools in the field of suicide prevention include leaning on traditional approaches to knowledge consumption such as educational sessions or webinars, eNewsletters and website content and exploring how lived experience knowledge and expertise can be incorporated into translational tools. SO WHAT?: Disseminating evidence from suicide prevention research in formats preferred by stakeholders, such as plain language summaries, could increase accessibility and reduce the knowledge-to-practice gap for successful interventions.