Knowledge Translation
for Improving Health
Masoud Solaymani-Dodaran
MD MPH PhD FFPH CCT
Knowledge Translation for Improving Health
Definition of Knowledge translation
 The concept of improving health
 Examples of what has been done

◦ What we have done
◦ What others have done (NICE)

My impression
Knowledge Translation for Improving Health
Definition of Knowledge translation
 The concept of improving health
 Examples of what has been done

◦ What we have done
◦ What others have done (NICE)

My impression
CIHR definition of KT
◦ Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is
the major federal agency responsible for funding
health research in Canada. It is the successor to
the Medical Research Council of Canada

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.
An old problem

KT is a relatively new term that is used to
describe a relatively old problem - the
underutilization of evidence-based research
in systems of care. Underutilization of
evidence-based research is often described
as a gap between 'what is known' and
'what is currently done' in practice
settings
◦ Technical Brief #10 2005, NCDDR (the National
Center for the Dissemination of Disability
Research)
Knowledge Translation for Improving Health
Definition of Knowledge translation
 The concept of improving health
 Examples of what has been done

◦ What we have done
◦ What others have done (NICE)

My impression
WHO definition of health

Health is a state of complete physical,
mental and social well-being and not
merely the absence of disease or infirmity
Social determinants of Health












1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Income and Social Status
Social Support Networks
Education and Literacy
Employment/Working Conditions
Social Environments
Physical Environments
Personal Health Practices and Coping Skills
Healthy Child Development
Biology and Genetic Endowment
Health Services
Gender
Culture
Steps in improving health
Setting national health goals e.g reduce
the inc. of …
 Setting targets to achieve goals that
should be SMART (Specific, Measurable,
Achievable, Relevant, Timed)

Steps in forming and implementing
policy

Political tasks
◦ Define a public health issue
◦ Develop broad goals
◦ Place it in broad policy
agenda
◦ develop strategy for moving
issue to front
◦ Media coverage, advertising,
PH campaign, lobbying
◦ Develop specific policy
◦ Evaluate/modify/ implement

Managerial tasks
◦ Identify key players
◦ Build a coalition of
support
◦ Determine state of public
opinion and identify ways
to change
◦ Identify obstacles to
implementation
◦ Compromise and bargain
◦ Determine the
appropriate timing for
attempt in implementation
Developing a local plan for
implementation
Situation analysis
 Consultation
 Review of published information to find
intervention
 Assessment of feasibility, acceptability, costs,
and benefits of these interventions
 Estimate of resources needed to carry out
the plan
 Formulation of recommendations for action
 Preparation of planning document

Knowledge Translation for Improving Health
Definition of Knowledge translation
 The concept of improving health
 Examples of what has been done

◦ What we have done
◦ What others have done (NICE)

My impression
KT activities in IUMS
KT activities in IUMS
KT activities in IUMS
Knowledge Translation for Improving Health
Definition of Knowledge translation
 The concept of improving health
 Examples of what has been done

◦ What we have done
◦ What others have done (NICE)

My impression
NICE






National Institute of Clinical Excellence
Established in 1999 (statutory)
2015-16 budget: 68.5 m pounds
Employs around 638 staff
More than 2,000 experts engage with NICE processes
Its role is to provide
◦ authoritative, independent advice on different healthrelated interventions and pathways of care;
◦ increase fairness in access to treatments
◦ to be a national source of robust clinical guidance
◦ to speed up the uptake of cost-effective treatments in the
NHS
NICE
In 2005 merge with Health Development
Agency to include public health
 Following the Health and Social Care Act
2012, extended its remit into adult and
children’s social care to help promote the
integration of NHS, public health and
social care.

NICE’s aim

NICE’s aim is to be the principal UK
source of evidence and advice to support
health, public health and social care
practice, commissioning and local
decision-making, including practical
support to help put recommendations
into practice. It provides advice to the
health and care system on what
interventions and forms of practice are
effective and cost-effective.
NICE functions












Guidelines for health, public health and social care
Technology appraisals
Highly Specialized Technology Evaluations
Medical and diagnostics guidance
Interventional procedures guidance
Quality Standards
Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF)
Clinical Commissioning Group Outcomes Indicator Set
(CCGOIS)
Evidence for Health and Social Care
Evidence resources
British National Formulary (BNF) and British National
Formulary for Children (BNFC).
Medicines and prescribing support
Knowledge Translation for Improving Health
Definition of Knowledge translation
 The concept of improving health
 Examples of what has been done

◦ What we have done
◦ What others have done (NICE)

My impression
My impression