title: Did you have an impact? A theory-based method for planning and evaluating knowledge-transfer and exchange activities in occupational health and safety.
abstract: Few evaluation tools are available to assess knowledge-transfer and exchange interventions. The objective of this paper is to develop and demonstrate a theory-based knowledge-transfer and exchange method of evaluation (KEME) that synthesizes 3 theoretical frameworks: the promoting action on research implementation of health services (PARiHS) model, the transtheoretical model of change, and a model of knowledge use. It proposes a new term, keme, to mean a unit of evidence-based transferable knowledge. The usefulness of the evaluation method is demonstrated with 4 occupational health and safety knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE) implementation case studies that are based upon the analysis of over 50 pre-existing interviews. The usefulness of the evaluation model has enabled us to better understand stakeholder feedback, frame our interpretation, and perform a more comprehensive evaluation of the knowledge use outcomes of our KTE efforts.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada. desre.kramer@occupationalcancer.ca
authors.forename: Desré M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: Richard P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Wells
authors.forename: Nicolette
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Carlan
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aversa
authors.forename: Philip P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Bigelow
authors.forename: Shane M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McMillan
mesh_terms: D060389:Construction Industry; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D006804:Ergonomics; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D007257:Information Theory; D019359:Knowledge; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D016272:Occupational Health; D011210:Power Plants; D015397:Program Evaluation