Knowledge translation and implementation in spinal cord injury: a systematic review

Spinal Cord, 2014 · DOI: 10.1038/sc.2014.62 · Published: August 1, 2014

Simple Explanation

This study examines how research findings are applied in spinal cord injury (SCI) care. It looks at interventions designed to improve clinical practice and patient outcomes by translating knowledge into action. The review analyzes studies that implemented knowledge translation (KT) strategies, such as new patient care protocols or clinician education, and measured their impact on clinician behavior and patient health. The goal is to understand what works in getting research evidence into practice to improve the quality of care and outcomes for individuals with SCI.

Study Duration

January 1980 to July 2012

Participants

13 articles featuring 10 studies

Evidence Level

Level 4 evidence, mostly pre-post designs

Key Findings

1
The review found that KT in SCI is a relatively new field with limited publications, most of which were published after 2000.
2
KT interventions, such as implementing patient care protocols and clinician education, can change clinician behavior and improve patient outcomes.
3
The methodological quality of the included studies was generally poor, highlighting the need for more rigorous study methods in future KT research.

Research Summary

This systematic review examined the effectiveness of knowledge translation (KT) interventions in spinal cord injury (SCI) care, focusing on changing clinical practice and patient outcomes. The review included 13 articles (10 studies) and found that KT interventions like patient care protocols and clinician education can impact clinician behavior and patient outcomes, although the evidence base is limited. The study concludes that KT in SCI is an emerging field needing more rigorous research methods to evaluate the effectiveness of implementation strategies.

Practical Implications

Improved Clinical Practice

Implementing KT interventions can lead to changes in clinician behavior, potentially improving the quality of care for SCI patients.

Enhanced Patient Outcomes

KT strategies have the potential to improve patient outcomes, such as reduced length of stay and increased vaccination rates.

Future Research Directions

Future studies should focus on using rigorous study methods to evaluate the effectiveness of KT interventions in SCI care.

Study Limitations

1
Small sample size with only 13 articles and 10 studies meeting the inclusion criteria.
2
Study had a narrow publication range from 1980 to 2012 and only included original studies.
3
It was often difficult to classify studies as utilizing active implementation as compared with more passive approaches.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury