JAMDA
Volume 13, Issue 3 , Pages 210-219, March 2012

What Do We Know About Knowledge Translation in the Care of Older Adults? A Scoping Review

  • Anne-Marie Boström, RN, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence to Anne-Marie Boström, RN, PhD, Karolinska Institutet, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Alfred Nobels Allé 23, 23300, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden.
    • ,
  • Susan E. Slaughter, RN, PhD

      Affiliations

    • University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
    • ,
  • Dagmara Chojecki, MLIS

      Affiliations

    • University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
    • Institute of Health Economics, Edmonton, Canada
    • ,
  • Carole A. Estabrooks, RN, PhD

      Affiliations

    • University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

published online 14 February 2011.

Abstract 

Objectives

The recent emphasis on knowledge translation (KT) in health care is based on the premise that quality of care improves when research findings are translated into practice. This study aimed to identify the extent, nature, and settings of KT research pertaining to the care of older adults.

Design and Methods

We searched Medline, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, and EMBASE for systematic reviews related to KT using the terms knowledge translation, research use, evidence-based practice, clinical practice guidelines, or diffusion of innovations. Then we searched the systematic reviews to identify included articles related to older adults. We used quantitative content analysis to summarize the information.

Results

Two of the 53 systematic reviews about KT focused on the care of older adults. One examined the impact of quality systems on care processes and outcomes for long term care residents. The other studied the effectiveness of active-mode learning programs on physician behavior. Sixty-one of the 1709 primary research articles (3.6%) pertained to the care of older adults. Thirty of these were conducted in long term care facilities, 26 in outpatient clinics, 2 in hospitals, and 3 in multiple settings. Most studies focused on KT interventions targeting professionals (eg, prescribing medications). Organizational interventions (eg, modifying roles) were few; financial and regulatory interventions were rare.

Conclusion

We identified a gap in KT research pertaining to the care of older adults. KT intervention research focusing on organizational, financial, and regulatory areas is warranted. The connection between geriatrics and KT is fertile ground for future research.

Keywords: Evidence-based practice, quality of care, geriatrics

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

 The postdoctoral fellowships of the first two authors were supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, CapitalCare Foundation (AMB), the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, and the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Alberta. The last author holds a Canada Research Chair funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta. The sponsors had no role in any aspect of the study, including data collection and analysis, manuscript preparation, or authorization for publication.

 Some preliminary findings were presented during workshops at the Annual Meeting of National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly in Toronto, in May 2009. We are grateful for the comments and questions of the participants in our workshops. In June 2010 some of the findings were presented as a poster at the Knowledge Utilization Colloquium 2010 in Halifax, Canada. We also appreciate the insightful comments offered by our colleague Sandy Cobban on an earlier draft of the manuscript.

PII: S1525-8610(10)00400-7

doi:10.1016/j.jamda.2010.12.004

JAMDA
Volume 13, Issue 3 , Pages 210-219, March 2012

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution