What is context in knowledge translation? Results of a systematic scoping review

Abstract

Knowledge Translation (KT) aims to convey novel ideas to relevant stakeholders, motivating their response or action to improve people’s health. Initially, the KT literature focused on evidence-based medicine, applying findings from laboratory and clinical research to disease diagnosis and treatment. Since the early 2000s, the scope of KT has expanded to include decision-making with health policy implications.This systematic scoping review aims to assess the evolving knowledge-to-policy concepts, that is, macro-level KT theories, models and frameworks (KT TMFs). While significant attention has been devoted to transferring knowledge to healthcare settings (i.e. implementing health policies, programmes or measures at the meso-level), the definition of 'context' in the realm of health policymaking at the macro-level remains underexplored in the KT literature. This study aims to close the gap.A total of 32 macro-level KT TMFs were identified, with only a limited subset of them offering detailed insights into contextual factors that matter in health policymaking. Notably, the majority of these studies prompt policy changes in low- and middle-income countries and received support from international organisations, the European Union, development agencies or philanthropic entities.

Strategic Healthcare Workforce Planning in Light of Healthcare Inequalities: A Comparative Analysis of Workforce Planning Policy in Israel and Comparable OECD Countries

“…Another factor to be considered is the importance of fitting the process of knowledge transfer to the local context. Policy frameworks developed in other countries and settings may not take into consideration unique local characteristics, and the knowledge transfer process must take this into account to succeed [36]. Finally, when implementing strategies to retain physicians in the workforce, especially in underserved areas, it is important to act to maintain a skilled workforce [37,39].…”