Knowledge Transfer in Health and Social Sciences Research Centers Affiliated to Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Yazd, Iran

Background: knowledge transfer or knowledge translation is a process which transfers knowledge to the realm of practice and application. Indeed, faculty members at research centers manage to identify barriers to knowledge transfer within their scope and provide appropriate solutions to improve the current state of knowledge exchange based on their findings. Therefore, the present study aimed to self-evaluate knowledge transfer and exchange in health and social sciences research centers affiliated to Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Yazd. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all active health and social sciences research centers of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Yazd were studied in 2016 - 2017. After giving some explanations regarding how to respond to the questions of self-evaluation of knowledge transfer and exchange questionnaire, the questionnaire was voluntarily completed by the faculty members and experts (n = 68). Data were analyzed in SPSS16 software. Results: As the study findings revealed, the best condition related to production of knowledge was 67.3% of the total score. The score was lower in regard with question of knowledge, determination of research priorities and communication with beneficiaries attaining 61.7% of the total score. Conclusion: It seems to be necessary for university authorities in charge of research to pay special attention to choosing appropriate research topics and research priorities to obviate the problems and the beneficiaries face. The amount of receiving order, especially from sources outside the university and identifying their needs indicate the ability of faculty members in putting into practice the research findings of the university