Can we streamline the concepts of knowledge translation, dissemination and implementation for lay stakeholders? A perspective

Abstract

Objective To initiate a critical dialogue within the evidence-based practice (EBP) communities regarding the necessity of clear and accessible concepts that bridge the gap between research and practical use for non-expert stakeholders.Key arguments There has been consistent evidence of failure to translate high-quality biomedical and health research findings into clinical practice and policy implementation. Research findings are not making their way into practice in a timely fashion and are believed to take two decades before an intervention can make its way to patients’ bedsides. Numerous concepts, models and theories have been developed to address this research application gap to guide experts in effectively applying research outcomes to practice. Unfortunately, there are no simplified descriptions of these concepts for use by lay stakeholders, such as patient representatives who may contribute meaningfully to clinical and other health research. To address this gap, as a first step towards developing and validating user-friendly concepts, we propose definitions for three commonly used concepts: knowledge translation, dissemination and implementation in a lay language. We also offer a simplified framework that connects these concepts. The suggested definitions and framework need refinement and confirmation from a broad range of non-expert stakeholders.Conclusion Insufficient simplified definitions to explain research in practical terms have led to confusion among stakeholders with limited expertise in EBP. In this context, scientific knowledge that is easy to comprehend and use is vital for non-experts to engage meaningfully and speed up the application of clinical research outcomes in patient care.