Evidence mapPaperPMID 39658798Full record

ArticleHealth research policy and systems2024

Outcomes of an integrated knowledge translation approach in five African countries: a mixed-methods comparative case study.

Kerstin Sell, Eva Rehfuess, Jimmy Osuret, Esther Bayiga-Zziwa, Bezinash Geremew, Lisa Pfadenhauer

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in Health research policy and systems, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Kerstin SellChair of Public Health and Health Services Research, IBE, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Elisabeth-Winterhalter-Weg 6, 81377, Munich, Germany. ksell@ibe.med.uni-muenchen.de.
Eva RehfuessChair of Public Health and Health Services Research, IBE, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Elisabeth-Winterhalter-Weg 6, 81377, Munich, Germany.
Jimmy OsuretDepartment of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Esther Bayiga-ZziwaDepartment of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Bezinash GeremewNon-Communicable Diseases Directorate, Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Lisa PfadenhauerChair of Public Health and Health Services Research, IBE, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Elisabeth-Winterhalter-Weg 6, 81377, Munich, Germany.

Funding

Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung 01KA1608, 01KA2023, 01KA2111A
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIntegrated knowledge translation (IKT) aims to enhance evidence-informed decision-making in public health and healthcare by establishing continuous relationships between researchers and knowledge users, in particular decision-makers. The Collaboration for Evidence-Based Healthcare and Public Health in Africa (CEBHA+) undertook research on noncommunicable diseases in Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda. Alongside the research activities, we implemented an IKT approach, which entailed training and the development and implementation of site-specific IKT strategies. We evaluated these strategies according to a predefined programme theory.

methodsDrawing on our published protocol ( https://rdcu.be/dyfBP ), we interviewed and surveyed CEBHA+ researchers and their decision-making counterparts during two project stages (3/2020-2/2021; 9/2022-5/2023) and collected IKT-related documents. Transcripts and documents were analysed using qualitative content analysis and surveys were analysed descriptively, with subsequent integration, cross-case analysis and revision of the programme theory.

resultsA total of 36 researchers and 19 decision-makers participated in surveys, focus groups and/or interviews, and we collected 92 documents. Relationship building, capacity building and collaborative research were the most proximal intervention outcomes: CEBHA+ researchers and their counterparts built mutual appreciation and partnerships, accessed contacts and networks, and expanded skills in conducting and using research and in IKT. The level of trust between partners varied. Intermediate outcomes were changes in attitudes and knowledge; beyond the conceptualization in our initial programme theory, researchers substantially increased their understanding of the decision-making context and developed a vision for "research impact". While it was challenging to evaluate distal outcomes, the IKT approach was linked to the production of research perceived as addressing local priorities and being highly applicable and contextualized, and some consideration of evidence among decision-makers. Unintended effects included high opportunity costs associated with undertaking IKT. An unanticipated outcome was the heightened interest of the research funder in policy engagement. Our updated programme theory constitutes a low-level theory for IKT.

conclusionsWhilst this study faced many challenges common to the evaluation of knowledge translation interventions, it presents rich, theory-informed insights into IKT outcomes. These are based on documented IKT activities and participants' views, particularly in-depth insights of researchers' experiences with implementing the CEBHA+ IKT approach.

Indexed as

Capacity BuildingDecision MakingTranslational Research, BiomedicalAdministrative PersonnelAfricaCooperative BehaviorDelivery of Health CareEthiopiaEvidence-Based PracticeFocus GroupsHealth PolicyHumansMalawiNoncommunicable DiseasesPublic HealthQualitative ResearchEthiopiaEvaluationImplementationIntegrated knowledge translationMalawiNoncommunicable diseasesPublic healthRwandaSouth AfricaUganda

Identifiers

PMID39658798
PMCPMC11629502

What Socratic holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.