Illuminating the processes of knowledge transfer in nursing.
BACKGROUND
Over the past 10 years, there has been a propensity to translate research findings and evidence into clinical practice, and concepts such as knowledge transfer, research dissemination, research utilization, and evidence-based practice have been described in the nursing literature.


OBJECTIVE
This manuscript shows a selective review of the definitions and utilization of these concepts and offers a perspective on their interrelationships by indicating how knowledge transfer processes are the basis of all the concepts under review.


RESULTS
Definitions and utilization of knowledge transfer in the literature have been influenced by educational and social perspectives and indicate two important processes that are rooted in the mechanisms of research dissemination, research utilization, and evidence-based practice. These processes refer to a cognitive and an interpersonal dimension. Knowledge transfer underlies a process involving cognitive resources as well as an interpersonal process where the knowledge is transferred between individuals or groups of individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
This manuscript can contribute to our understanding of the theoretical foundations linking these concepts and these processes by comparing and contrasting them. It also shows the value and empirical importance of the cognitive and interpersonal processes of knowledge transfer by which research findings and evidence can be successfully translated and implemented into the nursing clinical practice.
Aita
Marilyn
M
School of Nursing, McGill University, Québec, Canada, and Faculty of Nursing, University of Montreal, Québec, Canada. marilyn.aita@umontreal.ca
Richer
Marie-Claire
MC
Héon
Marjolaine
M
D003071:Cognition; D003142:Communication; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D019359:Knowledge; D017145:Models, Educational; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011588:Psychology, Educational; D014163:Transfer, Psychology