Jon Banks
The researchers’ role in knowledge translation: a realist evaluation of the development and implementation of diagnostic pathways for cancer in two United Kingdom localities
Banks, Jon; Wye, Lesley; Hall, Nicola; Rooney, James; Walter, Fiona M.; Hamilton, Willie; Gjini, Ardiana; Rubin, Greg
Authors
Lesley Wye
Nicola Hall
James Rooney
Fiona M. Walter
Willie Hamilton
Ardiana Gjini
Greg Rubin
Abstract
Background: In examining an initiative to develop and implement new cancer diagnostic pathways in two English localities, this paper evaluates ‘what works’ and examines the role of researchers in facilitating knowledge translation amongst teams of local clinicians and policy-makers. Methods: Using realist evaluation with a mixed methods case study approach, we conducted documentary analysis of meeting minutes and pathway iterations to map pathway development. We interviewed 14 participants to identify the contexts, mechanisms and outcomes (CMOs) that led to successful pathway development and implementation. Interviews were analysed thematically and four CMO configurations were developed. Results: One site produced three fully implemented pathways, while the other produced two that were partly implemented. In explaining the differences, we found that a respected, independent, well-connected leader modelling partnership working and who facilitates a local, stable group that agree about the legitimacy of the data and project (context) can empower local teams to become sufficiently autonomous (mechanism) to develop and implement research-based pathways (outcome). Although both teams designed relevant, research-based cancer pathways, in the site where the pathways were successfully implemented the research team merely assisted, while, in the other, the research team drove the initiative. Conclusion: Based on our study findings, local stakeholders can apply local and research knowledge to develop and implement research-based pathways. However, success will depend on how academics empower local teams to create autonomy. Crucially, after re-packaging and translating research for local circumstances, identifying fertile environments with the right elements for implementation and developing collaborative relationships with local leaders, academics must step back.
Citation
Banks, J., Wye, L., Hall, N., Rooney, J., Walter, F. M., Hamilton, W., …Rubin, G. (2017). The researchers’ role in knowledge translation: a realist evaluation of the development and implementation of diagnostic pathways for cancer in two United Kingdom localities. Health Research Policy and Systems, 15(1), Article 103. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-017-0267-8
| Journal Article Type | Article |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Date | Nov 21, 2017 |
| Online Publication Date | Dec 13, 2017 |
| Publication Date | Dec 13, 2017 |
| Deposit Date | Jan 5, 2018 |
| Publicly Available Date | Jan 5, 2018 |
| Journal | Health Research Policy and Systems |
| Publisher | BioMed Central |
| Peer Reviewed | Peer Reviewed |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Article Number | 103 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-017-0267-8 |
| Public URL | https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1337429 |
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This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.