Integrated knowledge translation to strengthen public policy research: a case study from experimental research on income assistance receipt among people who use drugs

Abstract Background Solutions to complex public health issues should be informed by scientific evidence, yet there are important differences between policy and research processes that make this relationship challenging. Integrated knowledge translation (IKT) is a strategy of sustained stakeholder engagement that intends to address barriers to evidence use. We highlight an example of an IKT project alongside a randomized controlled trial of a public policy intervention that tested different disbursement patterns of income assistance among people who use drugs in Vancouver, British Columbia. Methods A case study design was used where an IKT strategy led by a knowledge broker embedded within the research team acts as the case. This case study evaluates the process and effectiveness of the integrated knowledge translation project by measuring intermediate outcomes within a Theory of Change created to map pathways to impact. Content analysis was performed using an evaluation template through document review, post-event evaluations, and detailed tracking of media, knowledge translation activities and requests for information. Results A host of knowledge translation products synthesized existing research about the harms of synchronized income assistance disbursement and supported stakeholder engagement, facilitating conversation, relationship building and trust with stakeholders. Engagement improved knowledge of the contextual feasibility for system change, and contributed experiential knowledge to study findings. A combination of access to information and stakeholder and media engagement led to increased acknowledgement of the issue by policy makers directly involved in the income assistance system. Conclusions This project shows how a multipronged approach to IKT addressed barriers to evidence-informed public policy and successfully contributed to increased public discourse around income assistance policy reform. Additionally, sustained engagement with diverse stakeholders led to improved contextual knowledge and understanding of potential community level impacts that, along with scientific results, improved the evidence available to inform system change. This case study provides insight into the role IKT can play alongside research aimed at public policy improvements. Trial registration This IKT project was embedded within the study titled: The impact of Alternative Social Assistance Disbursement on Drug-Related Harm (TASA), known as Cheque Day Study, registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02457949) May 29, 2015.

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Mixed Method Evaluation of the CEBHA+ Integrated Knowledge Translation Approach: A Protocol

10.21203/rs.3.rs-117198/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lisa Pfadenhauer ◽

Tanja Grath ◽

Peter Delobelle ◽

Nasreen Jessani ◽

Joerg J Meerpohl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Translation ◽

Complex Intervention ◽

Early Stage ◽

Research Process ◽

Integrated Knowledge Translation ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Comparative Case Study ◽

Policy Document ◽

Integrated Knowledge

Abstract BackgroundThe Collaboration for Evidence-based Healthcare and Public Health in Africa (CEBHA+) is a research consortium concerned with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable diseases. CEBHA+ seeks to engage policymakers and practitioners throughout the research process in order to build lasting relationships, enhance evidence uptake, and create long-term capacity among partner institutions in Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda in collaboration with two German universities. This integrated knowledge translation (IKT) approach includes the formal development, implementation and evaluation of country specific IKT strategies.MethodsWe have conceptualised the CEBHA+ IKT approach as a complex intervention in a complex system. We will employ a comparative case study (CCS) design and mixed methods to facilitate an in-depth evaluation. We will use quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, quarterly updates, and a policy document analysis to capture the process and outcomes of IKT across the African CEBHA+ partner sites. We will conduct an early stage (early 2020) and a late-stage evaluation (early 2022), triangulate the data collected with various methods at each site and subsequently compare our findings across the five sites.Discussion Evaluating a complex intervention such as the CEBHA+ IKT approach is complicated, even more so when undertaken across five diverse countries. Despite conceptual, methodological and practical challenges, our comparative case study addresses important evidence gaps: While involving decision-makers in the research process is gaining traction worldwide, we still know very little regarding (i) whether this approach really makes a difference to evidence uptake, (ii) the mechanisms that make IKT successful, and (iii) relevant differences across socio-cultural contexts. The evaluation described here is intended to provide relevant insights on all of these aspects, notably in countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, and is expected to contribute to the science of IKT overall.

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Integrated knowledge translation in population health intervention research: a case study of implementation and outcomes from a school-based project

Health Research Policy and Systems ◽

10.1186/s12961-018-0351-8 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jessie-Lee D. McIsaac ◽

Tarra L. Penney ◽

Kate E. Storey ◽

Lori Sigfridson ◽

Jane Cunningham ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Translation ◽

Population Health ◽

Intervention Research ◽

Health Intervention ◽

Integrated Knowledge Translation ◽

School Based ◽

Population Health Intervention Research ◽

Population Health Intervention ◽

Integrated Knowledge

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Mixed method evaluation of the CEBHA+ integrated knowledge translation approach: a protocol

Health Research Policy and Systems ◽

10.1186/s12961-020-00675-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lisa M. Pfadenhauer ◽

Tanja Grath ◽

Peter Delobelle ◽

Nasreen Jessani ◽

Joerg J. Meerpohl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Knowledge Translation ◽

Complex Intervention ◽

Early Stage ◽

Research Process ◽

Integrated Knowledge Translation ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Comparative Case Study ◽

Policy Document ◽

Integrated Knowledge

Abstract Background The Collaboration for Evidence-based Healthcare and Public Health in Africa (CEBHA+) is a research consortium concerned with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable diseases. CEBHA+ seeks to engage policymakers and practitioners throughout the research process in order to build lasting relationships, enhance evidence uptake, and create long-term capacity among partner institutions in Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda in collaboration with two German universities. This integrated knowledge translation (IKT) approach includes the formal development, implementation and evaluation of country specific IKT strategies. Methods We have conceptualised the CEBHA+ IKT approach as a complex intervention in a complex system. We will employ a comparative case study (CCS) design and mixed methods to facilitate an in-depth evaluation. We will use quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, quarterly updates, and a policy document analysis to capture the process and outcomes of IKT across the African CEBHA+ partner sites. We will conduct an early stage (early 2020) and a late-stage evaluation (early 2022), triangulate the data collected with various methods at each site and subsequently compare our findings across the five sites. Discussion Evaluating a complex intervention such as the CEBHA+ IKT approach is complicated, even more so when undertaken across five diverse countries. Despite conceptual, methodological and practical challenges, our comparative case study addresses important evidence gaps: While involving decision-makers in the research process is gaining traction worldwide, we still know very little regarding (i) whether this approach really makes a difference to evidence uptake, (ii) the mechanisms that make IKT successful, and (iii) relevant differences across socio-cultural contexts. The evaluation described here is intended to provide relevant insights on all of these aspects, notably in countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, and is expected to contribute to the science of IKT overall.

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A Practical Approach to Using Integrated Knowledge Translation to Inform a Community-Based Exercise Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17113911 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (11) ◽

pp. 3911

Author(s):

Kirsten Suderman ◽

Naomi Dolgoy ◽

Janice Yurick ◽

Christopher Sellar ◽

Kathryn Nishimura ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Knowledge Translation ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Stakeholder Engagement ◽

Care Pathway ◽

Pilot Trial ◽

Integrated Knowledge Translation ◽

Care Providers ◽

Community Based ◽

Integrated Knowledge

Background: Our aim was to understand cancer survivor needs prior to, and following the Alberta Cancer Exercise (ACE) pilot randomized trial as a means to inform implementation of a province-wide cancer-specific, community-based exercise program. Methods: Questionnaires and semi-structured stakeholder engagement sessions were conducted with cancer survivors to explore preferences, barriers and facilitators/benefits at two timepoints: (1) pre-ACE: prior to initiation of the ACE pilot trial (n = 13 survivors and n = 5 caregivers); and (2) post-ACE: following participation in the ACE pilot trial (n = 20 survivors). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize quantitative data from questionnaires. Stakeholder engagement data were analyzed using a framework analysis approach. Emergent themes were then mapped to actionable outcomes. Results: Pre-ACE, survivors indicated a preference for exercise programs that were (1) supervised by exercise specialists knowledgeable about cancer, (2) included support from other health care providers, (3) were held in community locations that were easily accessible. Post-ACE, participants identified (1) a lack of exercise counseling from health care providers, (2) the need for earlier introduction of exercise in the care pathway, and (3) supported referral to exercise programming. Conclusions: An integrated knowledge translation approach identified actionable outcomes to address survivor needs related to exercise in clinical cancer and community-based contexts.

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Building for Success: Mental Health Research With an Integrated Knowledge Translation Approach

Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health ◽

10.7870/cjcmh-2010-0031 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 29 (S5) ◽

pp. 9-21 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Heather Bullock ◽

Aimee Watson ◽

Paula Goering

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Knowledge Translation ◽

Large Scale ◽

Knowledge Exchange ◽

Mental Health Research ◽

Integrated Knowledge Translation ◽

Research Initiative ◽

The Right ◽

Integrated Knowledge

Integrated knowledge translation approaches are one way to facilitate knowledge exchange and support the use of research in practice. This paper explores the elements of an integrated knowledge translation approach using the Systems Enhancement Evaluation Initiative (SEEI) as a case study. SEEI was a 4-year project (2005-2009) that explored the impacts of new funding in Ontario's community mental health system. Here, we describe the process, relationships, and challenges of this collaborative research initiative using a building analogy: getting the right people to do the work, designing the architectural blueprints, establishing the structure, and coordinating all facets of the project. We pay particular attention to the associated constraints and benefits when conducting a large-scale multisite evaluation.

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Integrated Knowledge Translation in Non-Communicable Disease Research in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Comparison of Systematic and Ad Hoc Stakeholder Engagement

Frontiers in Tropical Diseases ◽

10.3389/fitd.2021.753192 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

Author(s):

Talitha L. Mpando ◽

Kerstin Sell ◽

Peter Delobelle ◽

Jimmy Osuret ◽

Jean Berchmans Niyibizi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Knowledge Translation ◽

Stakeholder Engagement ◽

Ad Hoc ◽

Integrated Knowledge Translation ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

African Countries ◽

Country Specific ◽

Integrated Knowledge

BackgroundLow- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are currently experiencing an increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). To address this as well as other health challenges, Integrated Knowledge Translation (IKT) approaches to build mutually beneficial relationships between researchers and decision-makers can concurrently inform research as well as enhance evidence use in policy and practice. The Collaboration for Evidence-Based Healthcare and Public Health in Africa (CEBHA+) is a research consortium which conducts research on NCDs and uses an IKT approach to facilitate the uptake of this research in five African countries: Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, and South Africa. Tailored IKT strategies were designed and implemented to plan and guide stakeholder engagement. This systematic approach contrasts with more commonly used ad hoc approaches to stakeholder engagement.MethodsIn this article, we explore the experiences of researchers engaged in the CEBHA+ IKT approach across the five African countries. Data sources included: 1) an informal document review of CEBHA+ country-specific IKT strategies, IKT team meeting minutes and activity reports, and 2) a semi-structured survey of IKT implementers to elicit country-specific experiences on actual implementation and adaptation of the IKT strategies. Results were collated and contrasted across all CEBHA+ countries with a focus on systematic versus ad hoc approaches to engagement.ResultsSouth Africa, Malawi and Ethiopia country teams indicated that their engagements benefited from a systematic IKT strategy. This was especially the case in the early stages of the project as it allowed focused and intentional engagement. However, ad hoc engagement was still required as new professional relationships developed, and contextual circumstances - including the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic - required responsive engagement with decision-makers and other stakeholders. In Rwanda and Uganda, continuous systematic engagement was found to bolster ownership of the research at both community and national levels.ConclusionPolitical and health climates are constantly shifting with a need to maintain flexibility in how IKT strategies are implemented. While strategic IKT can benefit from deliberate planning and stakeholder engagement, there is value in remaining flexible to respond to the needs of stakeholders and contextual circumstances. This paper highlights how IKT implementers in the five African CEBHA+ countries responded to this challenge.

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