Knowledge translation tools supporting evidence-to-practice in primary care

The evidence-to-practice gap is a persistent challenge in translating healthcare innovations and evidence-based practices into primary care. Knowledge translation (KT) offers a pathway to close this gap, but researchers need better insight into which KT tools are most prevalent, their focus areas, and how they are implemented using theories, models or frameworks (TMFs). To address this, we conducted a scoping review of studies published between 2000 and 2023 identified across four OVID databases. After screening 6,912 citations and reviewing 389 full texts, 35 studies met inclusion criteria. Over half were conducted in the U.S. (51%), followed by Canada (26%). Most studies were qualitative (43%) or developmental using multiple methods (20%). Maternal and child health was the most common focus (20%), followed by chronic conditions (14%) and cardiovascular diseases (11%). Education and training implementation strategies for various KT tools (e.g., decision aids, handouts) dominated (37%), with strategies to promote the update of clinical practice guidelines (31%) and EMR-based tools (20%) also widely used. TMFs were cited 45 times, most frequently the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and the Knowledge-to-Action framework. These findings provide a roadmap for researchers seeking to advance KT in primary care.

Co-Leads: Jennifer Salerno, Erin Beaulieu
Team Members: Advina Kamaric, Kylem Cheung
Contact: Advina Kamaric (kamarica@mcmaster.ca)