Knowledge translation is the use of knowledge in health care decision making.
OBJECTIVE
To provide an overview of the science and practice of knowledge translation.


METHODS
Narrative review outlining what knowledge translation is and a framework for its use.


RESULTS
Knowledge translation is defined as the use of knowledge in practice and decision making by the public, patients, health care professionals, managers, and policy makers. Failures to use research evidence to inform decision making are apparent across all these key decision maker groups. There are several proposed theories and frameworks for achieving knowledge translation. A conceptual framework developed by Graham et al., termed the knowledge-to-action cycle, provides an approach that builds on the commonalities found in an assessment of planned action theories.


CONCLUSIONS
Review of the evidence base for the science and practice of knowledge translation has identified several gaps including the need to develop valid strategies for assessing the determinants of knowledge use and for evaluating sustainability of knowledge translation interventions.
Straus
Sharon E
SE
Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, 30 Bond Street, Shutter Wing 2-026, Toronto, Ontario M5B1W8, Canada. sharon.straus@utoronto.ca
Tetroe
Jacqueline M
JM
Graham
Ian D
ID
D002170:Canada; D003657:Decision Making; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods*; D019359:Knowledge; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000379:methods*