Integrated knowledge translation guidelines for trainees in health research: An environmental scan (Preprint)

Abstract

Background: Collaborative health research, such as integrated knowledge translation (IKT), requires researchers to have specific knowledge and skills in working in partnership with knowledge users. Graduate students are often not provided with the opportunity to learn skills in how to establish collaborative relationships with knowledge users in the health system or communities, despite its importance in research. The objective of this environmental scan is to identify available guidelines for graduate trainees to use an IKT approach in their research.

Methods: We conducted an environmental scan with three separate systematic searches to identify guidelines available to support graduate students in engaging in an IKT approach to research: i) a customized Google search; ii) a targeted university website search of Canadian universities; and iii) emails to administrators of graduate studies programs asking for available guidelines and documents designed for graduate students. Data were extracted using a standardized data extraction tool and analyzed using a directed content analysis approach. Due to the minimal results included based on the a priori eligibility criteria, we returned to the excluded records to further review the current state of the environment on trainee support for IKT research.

Results: Our search strategy yielded 22,900 items, and three documents met the eligibility criteria. All three documents highlighted the need for a concrete IKT plan to facilitate the success and sustainability of knowledge user involvement throughout the research process. There was an emphasis of having steps outlined to support graduate students to ensure successful communication with knowledge users from project inception through to dissemination. Due to the lack of identified resources, we conducted a thematic analysis of excluded resources and identified five themes demonstrating increased education and engagement in an IKT approach at an interpersonal and organizational level.

Conclusion: We identified three documents providing guidance to trainees using an IKT approach in their health research. This scan highlighted two key findings, including the importance of empowering knowledge user engagement with trainees and preparing an IKT plan alongside a research plan. Further research is needed to co-design guidelines to support graduate students and trainees in engaging in an IKT approach.