Professor Alison BullockCardiff University

SEWAHSP Strategy Launch

Working together for knowledge transfer

Overview

An illustration of HS&DR members working together to implement strategy

Knowledge transfer – what it is and why it’s importantChallengesWhat we’ve done so farReflections and future plans

What is knowledge transfer?Knowledge transfer (KT) is about the translation of research into impacts • getting news of research findings (knowledge) and innovations

to practitioners

• application - practitioners using research knowledge in their decision-making

• bringing together research and practitioner communities (exchange).

The translation process

Fundamental Science Impacts

Gap 4 – Population Sciences

Gap 1

Gap 2

Gap 3 Community,

Population, PolicyTrials & well designed studies

Innovation & Discovery

Research Translation

Why is it important?Innovation and research translation recognised as key policy drivers (Welsh Government Policies, SEWAHSP strategy).KT is one of the HS&DR Group’s five research priorities.

Important for practitioners in all priority areas (cancer, cardio-respiratory, diabetes, genetics...) as well as managers of service delivery and educators of practitioners. All need the know and apply the most recent research findings and innovations.

• Helps practitioners provide the best care, improve health and well-being, and enhances quality and safety

Knowledge transfer and exchange

KTE mechanisms

• can improve the quality and relevance of research projects

• can develop capacity in practitioner, managerial and education communities for accessing, appraising and using research evidence

• can encourage greater engagement, linkage and exchange between research and practice communities

Challenges

• Low status of research related to service delivery and education of healthcare professionals

• Share of funding for HS&DR is low relative to its importance

• Capacity and capability of practitioners and NHS managers to engage with and use research

• Relevance: matching research to need

A story of collaboration in HS&DRGKT in the HS&DR strategy

Working together on applications– NISCHR AHSC call for clinical research time competition (May)

for a Stage 1 Welsh study

– NIHR HS&DR call for research to improve KT and innovation in healthcare delivery and organisation (outline May; full Sept): Getting the most out of knowledge and innovation transfer ‘agents’ in healthcare

Aims: to identify current mechanisms, gaps, barriers/enablers, shape development, evaluate; bring together researchers, managers, practitioners, policy makers

Features of the applications• Stage 1 for an NHS manager: local scoping work to

complement and strengthen stage 2 national study

• NIHR HS&DR application includes 2 HS&RD Group members and a senior NHS manager (for a-day-a-week) as co-applicants

• Direct NHS input into the RQs

• Provides capacity building opportunity

• Aligns research and education to practice

Outcomes• Continuing to seek cross-institutional support for Stage 1

• Stage 2: awaiting outcome of NIHR HS&DR proposal

– Diverse strengths adds value to applications

– Task focused collaboration cements relationships

– Clarifies KT aims

Reflections• SEWAHSP provides networking

opportunity, brings together practitioners and academics to help address Research-Practice gap

• Relationships and face-to-face contact are important for effective collaboration and later research utilization

• Cooperation works but doesn’t happen spontaneously – needs structures, support (provided by SEWAHSP) and a task focus (e.g. funding applications)

• Working with NHS practitioners/managers ensures relevant RQs

• Involving knowledge users as partners in the research process is a strong predictor that findings will be used and the project will achieve a greater impact

The future• Build on what we have and

expand in line with evidence

• Pursue more joint applications for funding and develop a programmatic approach to KT

• Pilot work and exchange conversations with NHS (HB input)

• Through HS&DRG, agree priorities for research and research use.

• Translators to champion innovation and research translation

• Secondments and clinical academic posts?

• Education and training to develop research-aware NHS managers, and to build capacity and capability