Abstract
Objectives
To review and describe available Knowledge Translation (KT) strategies that are designed for or applied in public health decision-making settings.
Introduction
KT is the exchange, synthesis, and ethically sound application of knowledge. This review proposes that KT strategies in public health settings should be understood as action plans that promote evidence use and facilitate evidence-informed decision-making.
Methods
This scoping review included studies that reported on KT strategies applied in public health settings, published between 2010 and 2017. Studies were searched using Medline, online KT database, and citation tracing. Data from 305 included studies were synthesized using a coding form and conceptually mapped to identify KT strategies used in public health settings.
Results
A total of 124 unique examples of KT methods or tools were identified and summarized into 38 recommended and promising KT strategies. Built on the lists of recommended strategies, this review synthesized a framework that matched all 38 KT strategies to 10 key components of the evidence-informed decision-making process.
Conclusions
The public health KT strategies summarized and organized by this review promote a better understanding and more effective use of KT strategies.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank Zhuxuan Fu and Jian Shi for serving as second screener for some of the articles.
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N.Z., S.K.W., A.L., and M.C. contributed to study concept and design. N.Z. finalized the search strategy and completed data acquisition and cleaning. N.Z. and M.C. interpreted the data. N.Z. drafted the manuscript. S.K.W., A.L., and M.C. provided valuable input and revised the manuscript. M.C. provided funding for research assistants’ time. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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This work was completed as part of N.Z.’s DrPH dissertation, which received stipend support from the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, at Tufts University School of Medicine.
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Zhao, N., Koch-Weser, S., Lischko, A. et al. Knowledge translation strategies designed for public health decision-making settings: a scoping review. Int J Public Health 65, 1571–1580 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-020-01506-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-020-01506-z