Short report
Core competencies in the science and practice of knowledge translation: description of a Canadian strategic training initiative
1 Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada
2 Department of Oncology, McMaster University, Juravinski Hospital, G Wing, Room 207, 711 Concession Street, Hamilton, ON, L8V 1C3, Canada
3 Alberta Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary, AB, T3B 6A8, Canada
4 Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis, McMaster University, Program in Policy Decision-Making, 1280 Main St. West,CRL-209, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
5 Department of Family Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, PQ, G1K 7P4, Canada
6 General Internal Medicine, 2F1.24 WMC, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2B7, Canada
7 Centre for eHealth, McMaster University, Health Information Research Unit, 1280 Main Street West, CRL-132, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
8 VA Inpatient Evaluation Center (IPEC), HSRD (152), VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, PO Box 130170, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, USA
9 University of Ottawa, School of Nursing, 451 Smyth Road, Rm 1480F, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada
10 Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital - General Campus, 501 Smyth Road, Box 711, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada
Implementation Science 2011, 6:127 doi:10.1186/1748-5908-6-127
Published: 9 December 2011Abstract
Background
Globally, healthcare systems are attempting to optimize quality of care. This challenge has resulted in the development of implementation science or knowledge translation (KT) and the resulting need to build capacity in both the science and practice of KT.
Findings
We are attempting to meet these challenges through the creation of a national training initiative in KT. We have identified core competencies in this field and have developed a series of educational courses and materials for three training streams. We report the outline for this approach and the progress to date.
Conclusions
We have prepared a strategy to develop, implement, and evaluate a national training initiative to build capacity in the science and practice of KT. Ultimately through this initiative, we hope to meet the capacity demand for KT researchers and practitioners in Canada that will lead to improved care and a strengthened healthcare system.
