Knowledge Translation-Evidence in Child Health to enhance Outcomes ECHO

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The ECHO research program is focused on improving health outcomes for children with acute health conditions through the application of the best available evidence - a process known as knowledge translation (KT). The overall goal of the ECHO research program is to develop theory about the KT process specific to child health conditions and contexts, which will then be used to develop KT interventions to improve outcomes for patients, their families and the health care system. The importance of studying knowledge translation efforts to Canadian children and youth is clear – it is fundamental to ensuring that the best available research evidence informs the health and health care of infants, children, youth and families, as well as improving efficiency within the delivery of health care to children.

http://www.echo.ualberta.ca/en.aspx

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To date, little research has explored how research evidence is implemented in the breadth of settings that deliver health care to children. Additionally, little published evidence explains how and why particular efforts to put research into action worked in particular clinical contexts and not in others. Without understanding the exclusive patterns and nuances of research implementation in child health contexts, there is no way to ensure the best available research is used by all players in children’s health care – that is, parents/families, health care providers, and decision makers – to benefit Canadian children. The ECHO research program seeks to bridge this knowledge gap by exploring the causal mechanisms, and effect modifiers (e.g., factors, barriers, facilitators and processes of the implementation of research evidence (e.g., in the form of Clinical Practice Guidelines, Clinical Pathways) in health care settings that deliver health care to children. This program of KT research strives to develop well-defined, multi-level, knowledge translation interventions for child health to target both health professionals and parents. KT is a dynamic and iterative process that takes place within a complex system of interactions between researchers and knowledge users. The projects within the ECHO research program have been strategically designed to learn more about the determinants of knowledge use, and the best practices for expediting the uptake of knowledge.

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Knowledge Translation What is Knowledge Translation?

According to CIHR, knowledge translation (KT) is defined as a dynamic and iterative process that includes synthesis, dissemination, exchange and ethically-sound application of knowledge to improve the health of Canadians, provide more effective health services and products and strengthen the health care system. This process takes place within a complex system of interactions between researchers and knowledge users which may vary in intensity, complexity and level of engagement depending on the nature of the research and the findings as well as the needs of the particular knowledge user.

Source: http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/29418.html

Why is KT essential in child health research?

Understanding the science of knowledge translation, specific to child health, is fundamental to ensuring that the best available evidence informs the health and health care of infants, children, youth and families. Much of the extant KT research has focused on adult health care conditions and healthcare environments, thus neglecting to explore the unique needs that providing health care to children demands. The settings that deliver health care to children are unique and vastly multidisciplinary, encompassing a wide-range of health professionals. Previous research points to the distinctive challenges of providing health care to children including: 1) children (in comparison to adult patients) require additional time, effort, and skill from staff caring for them, 2) children demand higher emotional investment from health professionals, 3) the dynamic nature of children’s health care needs, 4) the expectation of family-centred care, and 5) the unique ethical situations encountered in pediatric care. Hospitalized children under three years of age require significantly more nursing care than older children, and in fact, their use of nursing resources is similar to that of hospitalized elderly patients. The largest improvements to health care for children can be achieved through concentrating on common conditions that affect the largest numbers of children each year.

http://www.echo.ualberta.ca/en/ECHOResearch/KnowledgeTranslation.aspx