Methodological approach

Definition

For the purpose of common understanding, the INESSS defines "knowledge transfer" (KT) as follows:

"A set of means (tools and activities) aimed at sharing the contents of knowledge products and at ensuring that these contents are accessible, comprehensible, useful and applicable to the target groups (decision-makers, managers, professionals, clinicians, stakeholders, users, general public). Knowledge transfer is an ongoing, dynamic and iterative process that is elaborated and carried out jointly with all stakeholders concerned. The different means formulated in a given KT plan can be deployed simultaneously to one or more target groups."

The "interactive"¹ approach involves back and forth exchanges between knowledge producers and potential users in the course of the scientific production and KT tool and activity development processes. This approach is the one privileged and adopted by the Institute.

Once an initial analysis of the organizational context and stakeholders’ needs is completed, it is possible to propose tools and activities tailored to the needs of each target group. The following criteria must be considered:

• The nature of knowledge to be passed on.
• The balance between the knowledge produced and users’ needs.
• The quality, accessibility and pertinence of the knowledge produced. 
• The usefulness, value and practicability of the knowledge produced. 
• The format and language used.

KT Plan Elaboration

All stakeholders concerned are asked to answer the following questions:  

WHY is KT important and necessary for this project; WHAT needs do KT meet? Please indicate:

• The general and specific objectives:1) Disseminating new knowledge; providing information; 2) Raising awareness; influencing; promoting the comprehension, adoption and appropriation of new knowledge; 3) Supporting implementation and change in practices.

 For WHOM is the KT intended? Please specify:

• Who are the target groups (decision-makers, managers, professionals, stakeholders, organizations, patients/users/family caregivers, etc.)?
• What are the specific needs and characteristics of each target group?
• Do target groups wish to receive new knowledge?

 WHAT knowledge will be transferred? Specify:

• What has to be transferred (recommendations, standards, best practices) for needs to be met?
• Should knowledge be adapted?

 HOW will knowledge be transferred? Specify:

• KT tools and activities best suited to each target group.
• The best way to reach target groups.
• Resources required.

WHO will transfer the knowledge? Specify:

• The personnel in charge of developing KT tools and activities: INESSS;  MSSS; associations, federations, professional associations; other.
• Where appropriate, the person responsible for KT implementation in practice environments.

Types of tools and activities developed

Promoting knowledge products and developing dissemination and appropriation tools and activities fall under the responsibility of the Institute.

• Dissemination² aims at making knowledge products accessible to potential users. Developing tools and activities for disseminating such knowledge is the first step of any knowledge transfer strategy. Dissemination implies that the contents of scientific production have been adapted to the needs of target groups. Elaborating separate dissemination tools and activities for each target group may be necessary to highlight information that is most useful and pertinent to them. Dissemination alone cannot bring about change.

• Appropriation³ aims at facilitating the assimilation by potential users of new knowledge from the Institute’s scientific production. The tools and activities implemented to promote appropriation make new knowledge easier to understand, adopt and acquire. They contribute to informing target groups, nurturing their reflection and supporting their decision-making with a view to organizational or practice change.

NOTE: The Institute, at the request of the MSSS, can be called on to propose strategies for supporting the implementation of recommendations considered by the MSSS as priorities.     

• Implementation aims at ensuring that strategies are implemented to facilitate and support the use of new knowledge for improving existing practices or systems. Implementation must be supported by the deployment of dissemination and appropriation tools and activities. For more information, please consult the Outil de soutien à l’implantation des meilleures pratiques(French only) on the INESSS website.

[Translate to Anglais:]

¹Lemire, N., Souffez, K., Laurendeau, M.-C. (2009). ANIMER UN PROCESSUS DE TRANSFERT DES CONNAISSANCES. Bilan des connaissances et outil d’animation. Montréal, Québec : Direction de la recherche, formation et développement, INSPQ. https://www.inspq.qc.ca/pdf/publications/1012_AnimerTransfertConn_Bilan.pdf

²Lemire, N., Souffez, K., Laurendeau, M.-C. (2009). ANIMER UN PROCESSUS DE TRANSFERT DES CONNAISSANCES. Bilan des connaissances et outil d’animation. Montréal, Québec : Direction de la recherche, formation et développement, INSPQ. https://www.inspq.qc.ca/pdf/publications/1012_AnimerTransfertConn_Bilan.pdf

³Lemire, N., Souffez, K., Laurendeau, M.-C. (2009). ANIMER UN PROCESSUS DE TRANSFERT DES CONNAISSANCES. Bilan des connaissances et outil d’animation. Montréal, Québec : Direction de la recherche, formation et développement, INSPQ. https://www.inspq.qc.ca/pdf/publications/1012_AnimerTransfertConn_Bilan.pdf