How the Canadian Dementia Knowledge Translation Network

Links Research to Knowledge Users

Sarah Kehoe, Research AssistantCanadian Dementia Knowledge Translation NetworkSarah.Kehoe@cdha.nshealth.ca

OUTLINE

1. Introduction to the Canadian Dementia Knowledge

Translation Network

2. CDKTN structure

3. What CDKTN delivers

4. How CDKTN links research to knowledge users

5. Closing remarks

6. Acknowledgements

7. Questions

Translation, Transfer & Brokering

Education and Training in Knowledge Translation

• Environmental scan to identify current best practices in KT&E training in academic settings

• Standardized curricula and training programs in KT&E

• Training opportunities for researchers that will cross themes, disciplines and levels of expertise

• Pilot research projects related to training in KT&E

• Funding opportunities for students to develop KT strategies

Canadian Dementia Resource and Knowledge Exchange

(CDRAKE)• Development of a national KE network –

Canadian Dementia Resource and Knowledge Exchange (CDRAKE)

• Environmental scan of existing KE networks, best practices, strategies

• KT&E conferences / workshops

• Research and KT&E partnerships between all key stakeholders

• Pilot research projects related to KE

• Electronic repository of information, resources, innovations

Patient/Caregiver Centred Knowledge Translation

• Identification of research priorities based on the needs of persons with dementia and their care partners

• New person-centred and relationship based models and approaches for KT

• Clinically and socially relevant and person-centred KT research projects

• A database for researchers of the experience of dementia from perspectives of those living with dementia

How CDKTN connects KT research to users

1. Diffusion2. Dissemination3. Implementation (Application)

Lomas J Ann NY Acad Sci. 1993, 703:226-37

1. Diffusion

Let it happen ~ Passive information sharing

Examples: Publishing a paper in an academic journal, going to a conference with a poster or posting information on a website.

Diffusion ~ Conference Exhibits

Diffusion ~ CDKTN www.lifeandminds.ca

CDKTN’s Research Members Intranet

http://intranet.cdktn.ca

Research Members Intranet Cont’d

You target and tailor what you are communicating to the specific audience you are trying to reach.

Help it happen ~ This approach can be more or less active

Less active: You have completed research and you translate the results into brochures, videos etc. for the public.

More active: tailoring a small workshop to disseminate results, get feedback etc.

2. Dissemination

Dissemination ~ Dementia Knowledge Broker

A platform to find and share knowledge and resources, in order to help those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

http://www.dementiaknowledgebroker.ca

3. Implementation

The most active of all three, implementation “…involves systematic efforts to encourage adoption of the research findings by overcoming barriers to their use.”

Gagnon, ML. J of Clin Epi 64 (2011) 25-31

Make it happen ~ engages knowledge users

Since November 2008, CDKTN has had 5 major funding competitions, all funded in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Canada. The competition encourages researchers to include knowledge translation activities in their projects. The outcomes of this research are made available for immediate use.

Implementation ~CDKTN Research and Education RFAs

• Development, Evaluation and Dissemination of a Bilingual Workshop for Dementia Care Providers Entitled: “Frailty, Dementia and Disasters: What Health Care Providers Need to Know” – Maggie Gibson, PhD

Implementation ~

When Dementia is in the

House was developed to

educate caregiving for children living

with someone who has

dementia, with a focus on

frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

When Dementia is in the House – Tiffany Chow, PhD

In closing

“There remains much to be learned about how we can increase the application of research knowledge, whether it's the commercialization of scientific discoveries or changes to current health care practices and policies.

However, what is certain is that as a society we will not reap the full benefits of our investments in health research unless the resulting discoveries are acted upon by other researchers, policy-makers, health care providers, patients, the public, and by the private, voluntary, and public health sectors.”

CIHR http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/38764.html

Acknowledgements

Funding sources:• CIHR Institute of Aging• CIHR Knowledge Translation Branch• CIHR Institute of Gender and Health• CIHR Institute of Neurosciences• CIHR Ethics Office• Alzheimer Society of Canada• AstraZeneca Canada Inc.• Pfizer Inc• Ontario Ministry of Health and Long

Term Care• Dalhousie Medical Research

Foundation• Fountain Innovation Fund• QEII Health Sciences Foundation

Principle Investigator:

Prof. K. Rockwood, MDDivision of Geriatric Medicine, Dalhousie University

Co-Founders:Prof. H. Chertkow, MDDepartment of Neurology & Neurosurgery, McGill University

Prof. K. Le Clair, MDDivision of Geriatric Psychiatry, Queen’s University

Prof. J. Keefe, PhDCanada Research Chair in Aging and Care Giving PolicyMount Saint Vincent University

Prof. H. Feldman, MDDivision of Neurology, University of British Columbia

Thank You!

Questions?

www.lifeandminds.ca

To join the network and become connected, email: info@cdktn.ca

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For further information on CDKTN…