Knowledge translation in Iranian universities: need for serious interventions
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RESEARCH
Open Access
Knowledge translation in Iranian universities: need for serious interventions Jaleh Gholami1,2, Sharareh Ahghari1, Abbas Motevalian3, Vahid Yousefinejad4, Ghobad Moradi5, Abbasali Keshtkar6, Ali Alami7, Saeideh Mazloomzadeh8, Mohammad Masoud Vakili9, Reza Chaman10, Bahman Salehi11, Omid Fazelzadeh12 and Reza Majdzadeh1,2*
Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to assess the status of knowledge translation (KT) in Iranian medical science universities in order to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the most important organizations responsible for producing knowledge in the country. Methods: The KT activities were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively in nine universities using the Self-Assessment Tool for Research Institutes. Results: The strengths and weaknesses of universities were determined using seven main themes: priority setting; research quality and timeliness; researchers’ KT capacities; interaction with research users; the facilities and prerequisites of KT; the processes and regulations supporting KT; and promoting and evaluating the use of evidence. The quantitative and qualitative results showed that the Iranian universities did not have an appropriate context for KT. There were significant shortcomings in supportive regulations, facilities for KT activities, and the level of interaction between the researchers and research users. Conclusions: The shortcomings in KT were mostly in the area of stewardship and policymaking (macro level), followed by planning and implementation at the universities. In order to strengthen KT in Iran, it should occupy a prominent and focused role in the strategies of the country’s health research system.
Introduction The available research is often not implemented and/or leads to ineffective or harmful care in healthcare despite significant investment in research [1]. Nearly all stakeholders involved in health-related decision making, including healthcare providers, patients, managers and policymakers, in developed and developing countries, have faced such challenges [2]. The World Health Organization’s 2004 report Knowledge for Better Health advised member states that improving knowledge translation (KT) is one of the main strategies to improve health systems [3]. By definition, KT is “a dynamic and iterative process that includes synthesis, dissemination, exchange and * Correspondence: [email protected] 1 Knowledge Utilization Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2 School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
ethically sound application of knowledge to improve the health, provide more effective health services and products, and strengthen the healthcare system” [4]. The translation of knowledge into action is a non-linear and complicated process that takes place in a complex system of interactions between knowledge producers and users [5]. Many factors affect the process in which organizational
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