title: Evaluation of partnerships in a transnational family violence prevention network using an integrated knowledge translation and exchange model: a mixed methods study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Family violence is a significant and complex public health problem that demands collaboration between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers for systemic, sustainable solutions. An integrated knowledge translation network was developed to support joint research production and application in the area. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which the international Preventing Violence Across the Lifespan (PreVAiL) Research Network built effective partnerships among its members, with a focus on the knowledge user partner perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  This mixed-methods study employed a combination of questionnaire and semi-structured interviews to understand partnerships two years after PreVAiL's inception. The questionnaire examined communication, collaborative research, dissemination of research, research findings, negotiation, partnership enhancement, information needs, rapport, and commitment. The interviews elicited feedback about partners' experiences with being part of the network.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five main findings were highlighted: i) knowledge user partner involvement varied across activities, ranging from 11% to 79% participation rates; ii) partners and researchers generally converged on their assessment of communication indicators; iii) partners valued the network at both an individual level and to fulfill their organizations' mandates; iv) being part of PreVAiL allowed partners to readily contact researchers, and partners felt comfortable acting as an intermediary between PreVAiL and the rest of their own organization; v) application of research was just emerging; partners needed more actionable insights to determine ways to move forward given the research at that point in time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results demonstrate the importance of developing and nurturing strong partnerships for integrated knowledge translation. Our findings are applicable to other network-oriented partnerships where a diversity of stakeholders work to address complex, multi-faceted public health problems.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, N6A 5B9 London, ON, Canada. akothari@uwo.ca.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kothari
authors.forename: Shannon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Sibbald
authors.forename: C Nadine
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Wathen
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005246:Feedback; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007391:International Cooperation; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D040442:Public Health Informatics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data