International Meeting To Feature Knowledge Translation Symposium

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 03 Jul 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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The mission of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR), convening here today for its 86th General Session, is to advance oral health research worldwide, and to facilitate application of its findings. A special symposium will directly address the latter by drawing attention to methodologies that can ensure the improved uptake of research knowledge through Knowledge Translation.

Knowledge Translation (KT) is defined as a collaborative, interactive process between those who generate new knowledge (researchers) and those for whom the results of this new knowledge are intended-whether consumers, health care workers, administrators, or politicians. It implies actively transforming the research knowledge, relevant to health, into action. Through this process, it is hypothesized that research is much more likely to effect change.

Designing appropriate techniques to improve uptake of the results of health research is becoming a necessary component of a successful grant application. As health research funding becomes increasingly scarce, scientists are required to consider integration of some form of KT into their research proposals.

This symposium is intended to increase the awareness of the oral health research community to KT. Participants will learn what Knowledge Translation encompasses, how it can benefit their current and future research, and effective strategies to involve decision-makers in future research projects.

The Oral Health of Seniors research project will be highlighted by Dr. Mary McNally of Dalhousie University as she outlines the benefit of involving stakeholders in designing research questions and disseminating the findings. Dr. Jeremy Grimshaw, a Canada Research Chair, and the Director of the Canadian Cochrane Network and Center, will discuss methods for crafting the message to improve knowledge uptake. Dr. Sheila Riggs, President and CEO, Delta Dental of Minnesota, will describe the experience of her company in using evidence to effect change in clinical practice. Dr. Jan Clarkson, of the Scottish Dental Practice Based Research Network, will discuss evaluation of KT programs to determine if, in fact, change can be effected.

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About the International Association for Dental Research

The International Association for Dental Research (IADR) is a non-profit organization with more than 10,800 individual members worldwide, dedicated to: (1) advancing research and increasing knowledge to improve oral health, (2) supporting the oral health research community, and (3) facilitating the communication and application of research findings for the improvement of oral health worldwide.

To learn more about the IADR, visit http://www.iadr.org/.

This is a summary of a session entitled "Knowledge Translation: How to Get Your Research to the People to Whom It Matters Most", held during the 86th General Session of the International Association for Dental Research.

Source: Linda Hemphill
International & American Association for Dental Research

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