Knowledge Transfer in Health Care Why is Knowledge Transfer Important?

In health care, there has been increasing recognition of the need to facilitate the transfer of research evidence into clinical practice and policy development. To meet this need, health care researchers and granting agencies have begun to place more importance on the processes used to communicate knowledge from research studies and to promote knowledge uptake by appropriate audiences (e.g., service providers, managers, and policy makers). This Keeping Current brings together ideas from the literature and from organizations that are dedicated to improving knowledge transfer practices. It is intended to help researchers develop knowledge transfer strategies that are specific to their area of research and target audiences. What Is Knowledge Transfer? The Program in Policy Decision-Making at McMaster University defines knowledge transfer as… …a process by which relevant research information is made available and accessible for practice, planning, and policy-making through interactive engagement with audiences. Knowledge transfer is supported by user-friendly materials and a communication strategy that enhances the credibility of the organization. Where relevant, knowledge transfer reinforces key messages from the research.1 There are many terms that are used to describe this knowledge transfer process. These terms include: research transfer, knowledge exchange, knowledge translation, knowledge mobilization, research uptake, research/knowledg