Knowledge Translation Project
Description
A collaborative study between the Spinal Outreach Team, Transitional Rehabilitation Program, Acquired Brain Injury Outreach Service and the Centre for Rural Health, Flinders University, aimed at developing and evaluating a consultancy model of clinical knowledge translation between specialist and generalist health practitioners
Rationale
In the delivery of rehabilitation and aged care services, expert clinical knowledge is generally sourced from small, centralised teams of specialist health practitioners.
Clinical interventions, however, are typically provided by generalist health practitioners who provide services within the communities in which clients are living.
Given the serious workforce shortages and poor retention rates of health practitioners, there is a need to more effectively connect practice with optimal consulting models to promote knowledge translation between specialist and generalist practitioners.
Participants
Specialist and generalist health practitioners (including community workers) in rehabilitation and aged care settings in Queensland and the Northern Territory
Key Features
Adopting a broad focus on knowledge translation within both rehabilitation and aged care settings
Developing and evaluating a model of consultancy that will facilitate knowledge translation throughout the continuum of health providers
Funding
This study (Phases 1-3) is funded by the Health Practitioner Research Scheme, Princess Alexandra Hospital.
Research / Evaluation Strategies
Phase 1: Using literature reviews, focus groups and key informant interviews to identify key themes and dimensions of the concepts of consultancy, knowledge translation and context
Phase 2: Using Phase 1 data, develop and evaluate (using Q sort methodology) criterion sets surrounding the concepts of consultancy, knowledge translation and contextual factors
Phase 3: Using data obtained through Phase 2, develop a model of knowledge translation in consultancy for rehabilitation and aged care settings that accounts for contextual factors
Outputs and Outcomes
Phase 1 interviews with 39 professionals identified a framework for considering the roles and relationships of key actors- consultant, consultee and clients
In Phase 2 and 3, Q Sort methodology further explored and consolidated this framework across a broader cross section of health professionals resulting in a model for knowledge translation
Publications
Amsters, D., Kendall, M., Schuurs, S., Lindeman, M., & Kuipers, P. (2013). Allied health professionals as consultants: An exploratory study in an Australian context. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice, 11(3). http://ijahsp.nova.edu