Communication versus knowledge translation: What's the difference INTRODUCTION KT AND COMMUNICATIONS

Communication versus knowledge translation: What's the difference INTRODUCTION KT AND COMMUNICATIONS

poster6.pdf
1
26/01/2014
11:29
Communication versus knowledge translation:
What's the difference
Tamika Heiden, PhD - @ktaustralia
Knowledge Translation Australia
INTRODUCTION
KT AND COMMUNICATIONS
This poster is intended to present an overview of communications and knowledge translation. The aim is to clarify the role of KT and where communication fits in the KT process. It is
expected that this topic will raise new questions about the differences and similarities between and across the roles of the communication specialist and the KT specialist.
The role of the KT specialist includes many skills including but not limited to: Understanding
and communicating the goals and perspectives of researchers, and practitioners; expanding links with the community; meeting with agencies build strong partnerships; providing
unique solutions to develop and implement program or policy changes; developing plain
language summaries; maintaining website content and promotional materials; researching
grant opportunities; developing KT plans for grant applications.
WHAT IS KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION (KT)?
KT is the science of working to bridge the gap between what we know and what we do. Historically, KT can be traced to the field of agriculture at the beginning of the 20th century5. In
the 1990’s the United States government added KT requirements to its research funding,
and in the year 2000 the Canadian Government formalised the requirement for KT.
KT is defined as:
"The synthesis, exchange, and application of knowledge by relevant
stakeholders to accelerate the benefits of global and local innovation in
strengthening health systems and improving people’s health."
World Health Organization (2005)
CHARACTERISTICS OF KT
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
KT is characterised by the following processes7
• KT includes all steps between the creation of new knowledge
and its application.
• KT needs multidirectional communications.
• KT is an interactive process.
• KT requires ongoing collaborations among relevant parties.
• KT includes multiple activities.
• KT is a nonlinear process.
• KT emphasizes the use of research-generated knowledge
(that may be used in conjunction with other types of knowledge).
• KT involves diverse knowledge-user groups.
• KT is user- and context-specific.
• KT is impact-oriented.
• KT is an interdisciplinary process.
WHAT IS COMMUNICATION?
Communication is a skill and a profession. The definition of communication often suggests
a one way interaction or push of information as follows:
“Communication is the activity of conveying information through the exchange of thoughts,
messages, or information, as by speech, visuals, signals, writing, or behavior. It is the meaningful
exchange of information between two or more living creatures.” Wikipedia (Accessed 20 Jan
2014)
Alternatively, communication has been given a more dynamic definition:
“Two-way process of reaching mutual understanding, in which participants not only exchange
information, news, ideas and feelings but also create and share meaning. In general, communication is a means of connecting people or places.” www.businessdictionary.com (Accessed 20
Jan 2014)
USING KNOWLEDGE FROM RESEARCH FINDINGS:
Within the KT profession there is an ongoing debate over the role of the communication
specialist and the KT specialist 1-4. The debate has shown that the intersection of these two
roles can vary depending on skills, specific job roles and functions, and personal views.
The introduction of institutional capacity for KT specialists’ has provided an opportunity to
lend clarity to the roles of the communication specialist and of the KT specialist. My aim is
to start a dialogue and gain clarity for both specialists which will focus on the roles and responsibilities/skills rather than job title.
An adapted global KT model from the Canadian Institute of Health Research, based on the
research cycle, is used here to examine the role of the communication specialist within the
KT process. The model shown below respresents knowledge creation through research
(blue circles), the use of that knowledge (green circles), and communication of the knowledge (red circle). The tasks, and roles involved, for each of these functions, are outlined further.
Dissemination
of Knowledge
Creation of
questions and
methods
Researchers
and knowledge
users
Impacts &
evaluation
Research
process
Implementation
/application of
knowledge
Knowledge
from research
findings
implications/
context of
knowledge
KNOWLEDGE CREATION:
Tasks involved
Roles/expertise
Grant writing
KT specialist
Developing KT plans
Knowledge broker, relationship
manager, researchers
Broker relationships with
partners/stakeholders
Knowledge broker, researchers,
stakeholders
Co-production of relevant questions
– researchers and stakeholders
Researchers
Literature and previous research
Research process
Researchers
Stakeholder feedback and continued
engagement
Tasks involved
1. Work with stakeholders to put new
knowledge in context. Determine how
knowledge could make a difference
Roles/expertise
Stakeholders, researchers, KT specialist,
knowledge broker*
2. Apply the knowledge Commercialisation, guidelines, clinical practice, service provision, policy
Stakeholders, researchers, implementation scientists, KT specialist
3. Evaluate the implementation and influence subsequent research
Researchers, stakeholders, implementation scientists, evaluation experts
4. Communicate the impacts of our research/implementation
Communications specialist,
researchers
Note: * Knowledge broker may be required if new relationships and stakeholders required.
DISSEMINATION OF KNOWLEDGE:
Tasks involved
Roles/expertise
Conference presentations
Researcher, communications
Peer reviewed publications
Researchers
Plain language summaries
Researchers, communications specialist
Public seminars
Communications specialists, researchers,
stakeholders
Social Media
Researchers, communication specialists
Stakeholder feedback
Researchers, KT specialist, communication
specialist
CONCLUSION
KT Australia, through the use of this model, has shown that knowledge translation involves
many key skills, of which communication is a component essential to the success of any KT
strategy. KT specialists routinely utilise additional skills, knowledge, and roles to bridge the
research to practice gap.
KT is a complex process requiring the connection of users and producers of knowledge to
co-create new knowledge products to serve their needs. This process is facilitated using numerous skill sets that may or may not be within a single person or role. This process differentiates the role of the KT specialist from communication professional and outlines the skills
required for successful KT, rather than the job title.
Importantly, it is in working with multiple skill sets, expertise, and professions that the KT
cycle can be successful. The KT Australia Model allows individuals and institutions to recognise the required expertise needed for successful KT relationships and outcomes, and to
tailor an appropriate team for their needs
REFERENCES
1.
2.
Researchers, specialist staff within research institute or team,
communications specialist
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Phipps, D. (2013). [Linkedin – Research Impact Group] Knowledge mobilization vs Communications. Message posted to http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Knowledge-mobilization-vs-Communications-1969705.S.232135149?qid=a893990d-379e-43e9-9599-e7f26cd65610&trk=groups_items_see_more-0-b-ttl&_mSplash=1
Phipps, D. (2013). [Linkedin – Research Impact Group] Knowledge Mobilization and Communications. Message posted to http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Knowledge-Mobilization-Communications-1969705.S.5800556207076814849?qid=6444d6c0-278d-42d0-ade7-f75c4ab8c68c&trk=groups_items_see_more-0-b-ttl
Johnny, M. (2013, May 29). Knowledge Mobilization and Communications / La mobilisation des connaissances et la communication, [Wordpress
blog], posted to http://researchimpact.wordpress.com/2013/05/29/knowledge-mobilization-and-communications-la-mobilisation-des-connaissances-et-la-communication/
Levesque, P. (2010, December 9). What is the difference between communications, knowledge transfer, and marketing? [Online forum] posted
to http://www.knowledgemobilization.net/archives/383
Research Into Action - A Knowledge Translation Initiative (n.d). History of Knowledge Translation. www.ktexchange.org (Retrieved 20 Jan 2014)
Graham ID, Logan J, Harrison MB. Straus SE, Tetroe J, Caswell W, Robinson N. Lost in Knowledge Translation: Time For A Map? J Contin Educ
Health Prof 2006; 26(1): 13.
Sudsawad, P. (2007). Knowledge translation: Introduction to models, strategies, and measures. Austin, TX: Southwest Educational Development
Laboratory, National Center for the Dissemination of Disability Research.