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ABSTRACT: One of the most important challenges in addressing global health is for institutions to monitor and use research in policy-making. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), civil society organizations such as health professional associations can be key contributors to effective national health systems. However, there is little empirical data on their capacity to use research. This case study was used to gain insight into the factors that affect the knowledge translation performance of health professional associations in LMICs by describing the organizational elements and processes constituting capacity to use research, and examining the potential determinants of this capacity. Case study methodology was chosen for its flexibility to capture the multiple and often tacit processes within organizational routines. The Burkina Faso Public Health Association (ABSP) was studied, using in-depth, semi-structured interviews and key documents review. Five key dimensions that affect the association's capacity to use research to influence health policy emerged: organizational motivation; catalysts; organizational capacity to acquire and organizational capacity to transform research findings; moderating organizational factors. Also examined were the dissemination strategies used by ABSP and its abilities to enhance its capacity through networking, to advocate for more relevant research and to develop its potential role as knowledge broker, as well as limitations due to scarce resources. We conclude that a better understanding of the organizational capacity to use research of health professional associations in LMICs is needed to assess, improve and reinforce such capacity. Increased knowledge translation potential may leverage research resources and promote knowledge-sharing.
Social Science [?] Medicine 10/2010; 72(1):31-8. · 2.70 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this paper is to expand the current focus on researcher-decision-maker knowledge translation (KT) partnerships to include community partners. Lessons were drawn from the community-based participatory research literature. An inductive thematic analysis was conducted, using forty-two eligible articles, and resulted in the identification of four themes (principles, structure, process and relationships) and associated factors that could contribute to KT collaborations among the three groups of actors. These findings are presented in a KT Triad framework. Thus, the framework provides specific lessons to facilitate researcher-decision-makercommunity collaborations based on an established body of literature. Including community partners in the KT process is important for integrating community context and needs into research-to-policy deliberations.
Evidence & Policy A Journal of Research Debate and Practice 01/2010;
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ABSTRACT: 'Is research working for you? A self-assessment tool and discussion guide for health services management and policy organizations', developed by the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation, is a tool that can help organizations understand their capacity to acquire, assess, adapt, and apply research. Objectives were to: determine whether the tool demonstrated response variability; describe how the tool differentiated between organizations that were known to be lower-end or higher-end research users; and describe the potential usability of the tool.
Thirty-two focus groups were conducted among four sectors of Canadian health organizations. In the first hour of the focus group, participants individually completed the tool and then derived a group consensus ranking on items. In the second hour, the facilitator asked about overall impressions of the tool, to identify insights that emerged during the review of items on the tool and to elicit comments on research utilization. Discussion data were analyzed qualitatively, and individual and consensus item scores were analyzed using descriptive and non-parametric statistics.
The tool demonstrated good usability and strong response variability. Differences between higher-end and lower-end research use organizations on scores suggested that this tool has adequate discriminant validity. The group discussion based on the tool was the more useful aspect of the exercise, rather than the actual score assigned.
The tool can serve as a catalyst for an important discussion about research use at the organizational level; such a discussion, in and of itself, demonstrates potential as an intervention to encourage processes and supports for research translation.
Implementation Science 08/2009; 4:46. · 3.10 Impact Factor
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The Canadian nurse 07/2006; 102(6):21-3.
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of the study on which this article is based was to determine the current extent of linkages among Canadian community health nursing researchers and decision makers and to identify perceptions around the structure and function of potential networks. A qualitative research design was utilised to develop common themes across focus groups, a workshop and key informant interviews. The findings suggest that there is a need for a formal community health network to provide an efficient and timely means to link the expertise required to tackle complex community health policy problems, and to create supports for advancing community health science with relevant and high quality research.
Spanish
El propósito de este estudio fue el de determinar las actuales extensiones de conexiones entre los investigadores de asistencia de salud comunitaria y quienes toman decisiones y el identificar percepciones alrededor de la estructura y funciones de redes potenciales. Un diseño de investigación cualitativo se utilizó para desarrollar temas comunes a través de grupos centrales, un taller, y entrevistas claves informantes. Los resultados sugieren que hay una necesidad por una red formal de salud comunitaria para proveer una manera oportuna y eficiente para unir el conocimiento necesario para abordar los complejos problemas políticos de la salud comunitaria, y el crear apoyo para una ciencia avanzada de salud comunitaria con una investigación relevante y de alta calidad.
French
Cette étude avait pour but de déterminer au Canada l'ampleur actuelle des liens entre les chercheurs et les décideurs dans le domaine des soins dans la santé communautaire et d'identifier les perceptions concernant la structure et la fonction de réseaux potentiels. Un concept de recherche qualitative a été utilisé pour développer des thèmes communs au moyen de groupes cible, d'un atelier, et d'entrevues clé indicatives. Les conclusions suggèrent qu'un réseau formel de santé communautaire est indispensable si l'on veut être en mesure d'offrir un moyen efficace et opportun pour utiliser l'expertise nécessaire pour maîtriser les problèmes complexes de politique en santé communautaire, et pour créer des suppor ts pour faire progresser la science de la santé communautaire à l'aide d'une recherche pertinente et de haute qualité.
Evidence & Policy A Journal of Research Debate and Practice 08/2005; 1(3):291-304.
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Nadia Hamel
The Canadian nurse 04/2005; 101(3):16-7.
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Bonnie Lee,
Susan Brajtman,
Barbara Campbell,
Andrea Chircop,
Nancy Edwards,
Susan Eldred, Nadia Hamel,
Kathleen Holdway,
Anita Kothari,
Judy Mill,
Debbie Sheppard-LeMoine,
Elizabeth Votta
The Canadian nurse 05/2004; 100(4):22-6.
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of the study on which this article is based was to determine the current extent of linkages among Canadian community health nursing researchers and decision makers and to identify perceptions around the structure and function of potential networks. A qualitative research design was utilised to develop common themes across focus groups, a workshop and key informant interviews. The findings suggest that there is a need for a formal community health network to provide an efficient and timely means to link the expertise required to tackle complex community health policy problems, and to create supports for advancing community health science with relevant and high quality research.
Health Studies Publications.
