There is increasing recognition of the need to make sure that research findings are not only made available but are actually used. Traditionally, findings have been published in peer reviewed journals at the completion of a study. However, the diversity of potential uses for, and users of, the evidence may not be fully served by a single strategy of journal publication.
Planning to disseminate and communicate progress and findings is becoming part of the research cycle although the most effective strategies are still unclear. [1, 2] The Cochrane Library includes several reviews on communication strategies such as the use of local opinion leaders [3] and educational outreach visits. [4]
Many aspects of the process for communicating evidence are considered in a recent report funded by the Canadian Health Services Foundation and Ontario Health Quality Council Public Reporting on the Quality of Health Care. This report looks at the purpose, content, audience, products, distribution and impacts of the research. [5]
Finding out more
Knowledge Management Tools and Techniques
Related CareSearch pages
Disseminating Evidence
Knowledge Translation
Finding Evidence
References
- Grimshaw JM, Thomas RE, MacLennan G, Fraser C, Ramsay CR, Vale L, et al. Effectiveness and efficiency of guideline dissemination and implementation strategies. Health Technol Assess 2004;8(6).
- Ciliska D, Robinson P, Horsley T, Ellis P, Brouwers M, Gauld M, Baldassarre F, Raina P.
Diffusion and dissemination of evidence-based dietary strategies for the prevention of cancer Curr Oncol. 2006 Aug;13(4):130-40.
- Doumit G, Gattellari M, Grimshaw J, O'Brien MA. Local opinion leaders: effects on professional practice and health care outcomes Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Jan 24;(1):CD000125.
- O'Brien MA, Rogers S, Jamtvedt G, Oxman AD, Odgaard-Jensen J, Kristoffersen DT, Forsetlund L, Bainbridge D, Freemantle N, Davis DA, Haynes RB, Harvey EL. Educational outreach visits: effects on professional practice and health care outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Oct 17;(4):CD000409.
- Wallace J, Teare G, Verrall T, Chan B Public Reporting on the Quality of Healthcare: Emerging Evidence on Promising Practices for Effective Reporting Canadian Health Services Foundation and Ontario Health Quality Council 2007.
This page was created on 14 May 2008 and is due for review in May 2010
Last updated 26 May 2008