Review of published evidence on knowledge translation capacity, practice and support among researchers and research institutions in low- and middle- income countries

Murunga, Violet, Oronje, Rose Ndakala, Bates, Imelda ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0862-8199, Tagoe, Nadia and Pulford, Justin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4756-8480 (2020) 'Review of published evidence on knowledge translation capacity, practice and support among researchers and research institutions in low- and middle- income countries'. Health Research Policy and Systems, Vol 18, e16.

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Abstract

Background
Knowledge translation (KT) is a dynamic and iterative process that includes synthesis, dissemination, exchange and ethically-sound application of knowledge to yield beneficial outcomes for society. Effective KT requires researchers to play an active role in promoting evidence uptake. This paper presents a systematised review of evidence on low- and middle- income (LMIC) researchers’ KT capacity, practice and interventions for enhancing their KT practice (support) with the aim of identifying gaps and informing future research and interventions.

Methods
An electronic search for peer reviewed publications focusing on LMIC researchers’ KT capacity, practice and support across all academic fields, authored in English and from the earliest records available to February 2019, was conducted using PubMed and Scopus. Selected studies were appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool , data pertaining to publication characteristics and study design extracted and an a priori thematic analysis of reported research findings completed.
Results
The search resulted in 334 screened articles of which 66 met the inclusion criteria. Most (43) of the articles presented original research findings, 22 were commentaries and 1 was a systematic review. 48 articles reported on researchers’ KT practice, 12 assessed institutional KT capacity of academic/research organisations and 9 reported on KT support for researchers. More than half (59%) of the articles focused on sub-Saharan Africa and a majority (93%) on health research. Most of the primary studies used the case study design (41%). The findings suggest that LMIC researchers rarely conduct KT and face a range of barriers at individual and institutional levels that limit their KT practice including inadequate KT knowledge and skills particularly for communicating research and interacting with research end-users, insufficient funding and inadequate institutional guidelines, structures and incentives promoting KT practice. Furthermore, the evidence-base on effective interventions for enhancing KT among LMIC researchers is insufficient and largely of weak quality.

Conclusions
More high-quality research on researchers’ KT capacity, practice and effective KT capacity strengthening interventions is needed. Study designs that extend beyond case studies and descriptive studies e are recommended. Furthermore, realist approaches, pragmatic trials, impact evaluations, implementation research and participatory action research are recommended for evaluating interventions.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	W General Medicine. Health Professions > Health Services. Patients and Patient Advocacy > W 84.4 Quality of Health Care WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries WA Public Health > Health Administration and Organization > WA 540 National and state health administration
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-019-0524-0
Depositing User:	Rachel Dominguez
Date Deposited:	11 Feb 2020 11:22
Last Modified:	13 Feb 2020 09:10
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/13694

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