Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions



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CURRENT ISSUE BACK ISSUES SUBSCRIBE ADVERTISE ABOUT JCEHP FOR AUTHORS JCEHP AWARD SEARCH (Members only) FULL-TEXT		Volume 26 (1) Volume 26, Issue 1, Winter 2006 J Contin Educ Health Prof 2006; 26(1):87 RESEARCH ARTICLE Knowledge Translation in Developing Countries Nancy Santesso Peter Tugwell A b s t r a c t There is increasing evidence that the application of knowledge in developing countries is failing. One reason is the woeful shortage of health workers, but as this is redressed, it is also crucial that we have an evidence base of what works to minimize the “know-do gap.” The World Health Organization and other international organizations are actively building momentum to promote research to determine effective strategies for knowledge translation (KT). At this time, the evidence base for the effectiveness of those strategies is not definitive in developed countries and is relatively sparse in developing countries. It appears, however, that the effectiveness of these strategies is highly variable and dependent on the setting, and success hinges on whether the strategies have been tailored. A useful framework to provide direction for tailoring interventions is the Ottawa Model of Research Use (OMRU). Underlying OMRU is the principle that success rests with tailoring KT strategies to the salient barriers and supports found within the setting. The model recommends that barriers and supports found in the practice environment or as characteristics of potential adopters and the evidence-based innovation or research evidence be assessed and then the KT strategy tailored and executed. The model also recommends that whether the research has been applied and has resulted in improved health outcomes should be measured. Studies in developing countries, although few, illustrate that the OMRU approach may be a valid method of tackling the challenges of KT strategies to improve health care in developing countries. Lessons for Practice The importance of using research in health decision making at the individual and population level has been increasingly recognized not only in industrialized counties but in low- and middle-income countries. Low- and middle-income countries face many challenges to applying knowledge due to limited resources. Knowledge translation strategies have been developed and continue to be developed to promote the use of evidence and knowledge by policymakers, health care professionals, and the public. But evaluation of these strategies has primarily occurred in developed countries. The Ottawa Model of Research Use (OMRU) provides a useful framework to assess, monitor, and evaluate knowledge translation strategies based on barriers and supports to research use. This model may be particularly relevant in developing countries where many barriers to the application of knowledge exist and little evaluation has been conducted. More research into effective knowledge translation strategies in developing countries and validation of the OMRU model is needed. Key Words: knowledge translation, research use, evidence-based medicine, developing countries, continuing education
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