Kristine Newman

Knowledge Translation Strategies for Enhancing Nurses’ Evidence-Informed Decision Making: A Scoping Review

Background Nurses are increasingly expected to engage in evidence-informed decision making (EIDM); the use of research evidence with information about patient preferences, clinical context and resources, and their clinical expertise in decision making. Strategies for enhancing EIDM have been synthesized in high-quality systematic reviews, yet most relate to physicians or mixed disciplines. Existing reviews, specific to nursing, have not captured a broad range of strategies for promoting the knowledge and skills for EIDM, patient outcomes as a result of EIDM, or contextual information for why these strategies “work.” Aim To conduct a scoping review to identify and map the literature related to strategies implemented among nurses in tertiary care for promoting EIDM knowledge, skills, and behaviours, as well as patient outcomes and contextual implementation details. Methods A search strategy was developed and executed to identify relevant research evidence. Participants included registered nurses, clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, and advanced practice nurses. Strategies were those enhancing nurses’ EIDM knowledge, skills, or behaviours, as well as patient outcomes. Relevant studies included systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, cluster randomized controlled trials, non-randomized trials (including controlled before and after studies), cluster non-randomized trials, interrupted time series designs, prospective cohort studies, mixed-method studies, and qualitative studies. Two reviewers performed study selection and data extraction using standardized forms. Disagreements were resolved through discussion or third party adjudication. Results Using a narrative synthesis, the body of research was mapped by design, clinical areas, strategies, and provider and patient outcomes to determine areas appropriate for a systematic review. Conclusions There are a sufficiently high number of studies to conduct a more focused systematic review by care settings, study design, implementation strategies, or outcomes. A focused review could assist in determining which strategies can be recommended for enhancing EIDM knowledge, skills, and behaviours among nurses in tertiary care.

Knowledge brokering for healthy aging: a scoping review of potential approaches

BackgroundDeveloping a healthcare delivery system that is more responsive to the future challenges of an aging population is a priority in Canada. The World Health Organization acknowledges the need for knowledge translation frameworks in aging and health. Knowledge brokering (KB) is a specific knowledge translation approach that includes making connections between people to facilitate the use of evidence. Knowledge gaps exist about KB roles, approaches, and guiding frameworks. The objective of the scoping review is to identify and describe KB approaches and the underlying conceptual frameworks (models, theories) used to guide the approaches that could support healthy aging.MethodsLiterature searches were done in PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, EBM reviews (Cochrane Database of systematic reviews), CINAHL, and SCOPUS, as well as Google and Google Scholar using terms related to knowledge brokering. Titles, abstracts, and full reports were reviewed independently by two reviewers who came to consensus on all screening criteria. Documents were included if they described a KB approach and details about the underlying conceptual basis. Data about KB approach, target stakeholders, KB outcomes, and context were extracted independently by two reviewers.ResultsSearches identified 248 unique references. Screening for inclusion revealed 19 documents that described 15 accounts of knowledge brokering and details about conceptual guidance and could be applied in healthy aging contexts. Eight KB elements were detected in the approaches though not all approaches incorporated all elements. The underlying conceptual guidance for KB approaches varied. Specific KB frameworks were referenced or developed for nine KB approaches while the remaining six cited more general KT frameworks (or multiple frameworks) as guidance.ConclusionsThe KB approaches that we found varied greatly depending on the context and stakeholders involved. Three of the approaches were explicitly employed in the context of health aging. Common elements of KB approaches that could be conducted in healthy aging contexts focussed on acquiring, adapting, and disseminating knowledge and networking (linkage). The descriptions of the guiding conceptual frameworks (theories, models) focussed on linkage and exchange but varied across approaches. Future research should gather KB practitioner and stakeholder perspectives on effective practices to develop KB approaches for healthy aging.

Situating CIS: The Importance of Context in Collaborative Information Seeking

Collaborative Information Seeking (CIS) is common in many professional contexts. This chapter discusses CIS from four different perspectives – education, healthcare, science research and patent research. We first introduce the CIS context, focusing on Evans and Chi’s proposed model of social search. We highlight the ways contextual factors relate to the search process, in particular noting the role of communication in CIS processes. The four example professional contexts are discussed with reference to the ‘medium’ of collaboration, the ways CIS is conducted, the tools used and physical setting of CIS, and the ‘context’ of CIS, the purposes for which an instance of CIS occurs in that discipline. We suggest that these contextual factors can be aligned with, but are additional to, the existing Evans and Chi model of social search, and that their addition in a ‘pre- and post-model’ extension could provide a shared framework for researching contextual features of CIS. In highlighting commonalities and contrasts across the disciplinary contexts we suggest that a developed model, and further research, is needed to understand the relationship between motivations in these different disciplines and the evaluation of CIS episodes, and the role of processes, particularly communication, in those episodes. In order to evaluate CIS in different disciplines future research should focus on the between, and within discipline differences in the purposes of CIS. Characteristics of success in different disciplinary contexts may relate both to the consideration of the collaborative context, and the information need; developing deeper understanding of this point.

Information Seeking When Problem Solving: Perspectives of Public Health Professionals

Objectives Given the many different types of professionals working in public health and their diverse roles, it is likely that their information needs, information-seeking behaviors, and problem-solving abilities differ. Although public health professionals often work in interdisciplinary teams, few studies have explored their information needs and behaviors within the context of teamwork. This study explored the relationship between Canadian public health professionals’ perceptions of their problem-solving abilities and their information-seeking behaviors with a specific focus on the use of evidence in practice settings. It also explored their perceptions of collaborative information seeking and the work contexts in which they sought information. Methods Key Canadian contacts at public health organizations helped recruit study participants through their list-servs. An electronic survey was used to gather data about (a) individual information-seeking behaviors, (b) collaborative information-seeking behaviors, (c) use of evidence in practice environments, (d) perceived problem-solving abilities, and (e) demographic characteristics. Results Fifty-eight public health professionals were recruited, with different roles and representing most Canadian provinces and one territory. A significant relationship was found between perceived problem-solving abilities and collaborative information-seeking behavior (r = ‒.44, p < .00, N = 58), but not individual information seeking. The results suggested that when public health professionals take a shared, active approach to problem solving, maintain personal control, and have confidence, they are more likely collaborate with others in seeking information to complete a work task. Linking Evidence to Action Administrators of public health organizations should promote collaboration by implementing effective communication and information-seeking strategies, and by providing information resources and retrieval tools. Public health professionals’ perceived problem-solving abilities can influence how they collaborate in seeking information. Educators in public health organizations should tailor training in information searching to promote collaboration through collaborative technology systems.

Comparison of global dementia discussions: perspective from the world young leaders in dementia

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to critically reflect on the global dementia prevention views of the Japanese leaders at both the Japanese Young Leaders in Dementia Event and the Japanese Global Legacy Against Dementia event, from a Canadian perspective. Design/methodology/approach This paper undertook a global comparison of the discussion and recommendations from both the Japanese Young Leader Event and the satellite Global Dementia Legacy Event. Findings The paper provides insights about the cultural and intergenerational differences in both the Japanese solutions compared to the Canadian solutions. Originality/value The authors encourage leaders involved in global prevention dementia discussions to remember the importance of context, in regards to both cultural and intergenerational collaborations, in the search for global dementia solutions.

Critical reflections from the millennials on the global action against dementia legacy events

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to share information regarding the Global Action Against Dementia Legacy, to critically reflect on the views of the Canadian Young Leaders of Dementia and to strengthen the impact of their voices in the global discussion surrounding dementia. Design/methodology/approach – This offers a critical reflection and review of the innovative intergenerational discussions and solutions offered by younger Canadians – specifically, the Millennial Generation. Findings – The paper provides insights about how change and solutions in dementia actions may be established through intergenerational collaboration. Research limitations/implications – Researchers are encouraged to make room for the voices of younger, less established generations in both discussions and research related to dementia. The younger generations will provide future direction to the Global Action Against Dementia Legacy so it is time to hear their voice too. Originality/value – This paper draws on developments in...

Developing a theory of peer mentorship in a knowledge translation trainee context

ABSTRACT Background: Knowledge translation (KT) is an emerging field of practice, one in need of supports for growth, including, notably, peer mentorship. Aim: To enhance our understanding of peer mentorship, this qualitative research examines the lived experiences of peer mentorship among graduate students and junior faculty whose studies focus on knowledge translation (KT). Data collection and analysis: Interview data were collected from 12 members of a KT ‘trainee collaborative’ and were analyzed using grounded theory techniques. Findings: The resultant theory of peer mentorship views the phenomenon as distinct from traditional mentorship, and outlines antecedents deemed necessary for creating and optimizing the formation of peer mentorship relationships. The theory also delineates between active and passive participation in such relationships, both within the formative stages, and once a set of peers has begun to ‘be in’ the relationship. Conclusion: The model offers KT trainees and faculty an opportunity to reflect on peer mentorship practices, and to consider the conditions that may optimize peer mentorship.

Challenges in Collecting Big Data in A Clinical Environment with Vulnerable Population: Lessons Learned from A Study Using A Multi-modal Sensors Platform

Agitation is one of the most common behavioural and psychological symptoms in people living with dementia (PLwD). This behaviour can cause tremendous stress and anxiety on family caregivers and healthcare providers. Direct observation of PLwD is the traditional way to measure episodes of agitation. However, this method is subjective, bias-prone and timeconsuming. Importantly, it does not predict the onset of the agitation. Therefore, there is a need to develop a continuous monitoring system that can detect and/or predict the onset of agitation. In this study, a multi-modal sensor platform with video cameras, motion and door sensors, wristbands and pressure mats were set up in a hospital-based dementia behavioural care unit to develop a predictive system to identify the onset of agitation. The research team faced several barriers in the development and initiation of the study, namely addressing concerns about the study ethics, logistics and costs of study activities, device design for PLwD and limitations of its use in the hospital. In this paper, the strategies and methodologies that were implemented to address these challenges are discussed for consideration by future researchers who will conduct similar studies in a hospital setting.

Trainees’ self-reported challenges in knowledge translation practice and research

Background Knowledge translation (KT) refers to the process of moving knowledge into healthcare practice and policy. The practice of KT is about helping decision-makers become aware of knowledge and facilitating their use of it in their day-to-day work. The science of KT is about studying the determinants of knowledge use and investigating strategies to support the adoption, implementation, and sustained use of knowledge in healthcare practice and policy. An increasing number of trainees are developing careers in KT practice and/or KT research. Given the infancy of this field, there may be unique challenges that trainees face as they develop their careers in KT. This paper is one of two from a study about KT trainees’ perspectives on KT research and practice. The purpose of this paper was to identify challenges that KT trainees face in their KT practice or research.

Identifying emerging priorities in Knowledge Translation from the perspective of trainees

Background As the Knowledge Translation (KT) field advances, there is an increasing need to identify priorities to help shape future directions for research. An important source of KT priorities is ‘experts’ who are well-established researchers and practitioners. Another potential source for identifying priorities is trainees. Given that many KT trainees are developing their programs of research, understanding their main concerns and priorities for KT research and practice is critical to supporting the development and advancement of KT as a field. The purpose of this study was to identify priorities for research and practice in the KT field from the perspectives of KT researcher and practitioner trainees.