TRIPLE HELIX noms.pmd

P-039From theory to practice: The drivers needed to ensure Knowledge translationin Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) research environmentCharles Gagné, Louis Lazure, IRSST, Montreal, CanadaKnowledge translation (KT) is an increasingly widespread practice in the research community. It is a process that, as aresearch and granting organization, the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et sécurité au travail (IRSST) uses topromote the appropriation of research results in the workplaces. Although the definition of KT does not make consensus, theIRSST gives it a comprehensive definition that includes both concepts of sharing and exchange of knowledge. The simpledissemination of research results is insufficient for changing how things are done in the workplace and for having a real impacton workers' health and safety.An overview of the scientific literature reveals, among other things, that the following conditions must exist in order to achieve anefficient knowledge translation: the importance of establishing personal contacts between researchers and stakeholders/endusers; the continuous involvement of the stakeholders throughout the research process ; the existence of a link between themoment of availability of the research results and their use ; the applicability of the results to facilitate the actual appropriationby workplaces ; the collaboration of the stakeholders/end-users to adapt and implement the research results .The objective of this paper is to present the Research and Knowledge Translation Cycle developed by the IRSST and the 6drivers needed to ensure KT in the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) research environment.In accordance with the Triple Helix's approach, IRSST has set as an organizational priority the existence of a solid relationshipwith decisions makers (including government bodies and Workers' Compensation Boards) and stakeholders/end-users inworkplaces . This dynamic interaction between these three actors can (by knowledge creation and adaptation to specificcontext) influence the decision-making process that leads to the development of OHS standards and regulationsEstablished in Quebec (Canada) since 1980, the IRSST is a non-profit scientific research organization who contributes, throughresearch, to the prevention of industrial accidents and occupational diseases, and to the rehabilitation of affected workers.Graham, Ian D. et al. Lost in Knowledge Translation: Time for a Map? The Journal of Continuing Education in the HealthProfessions 2006; 26 (1).Jacobson, N. et al. Development of a framework for knowledge translation: understanding user context. Journal of HealthServices Research & Policy 2003; 8(2).Reardon, R., Lavis, J., & Gibson, J. From research to practice: a knowledge transfer planning guide. Institute for Work & Health2006.Lomas, J. Using Linkage and Exchange to move Research into Policy at a Canadian Foundation. Health Affairs 2000; 19 (3).Innvaer, S., Vist, G., Trommald, M., & Oxman, A. Health policy-makers perceptions of their use of evidence: a systematicreview. Journal of Health Services Research and Policy 2002; 7(4).Shaker, A. Zahra & Gerard George. Absorptive Capacity: A review Reconceptualization, and Extension. Academy of ManagementReview 2002; 27 (2), 185-203.Bourdouxhe et Gratton. Transfert et utilisation des résultats en milieu de travail : le cas de la recherche sur les éboueurs auQuébec. Pistes (Perspectives interdisciplinaires sur le travail et la santé) 2003; 5 (1).Kramer DM and Wells RP. Achieving buy-in: Building networks to facilitate knowledge transfer. Science Communications 2005;26: 428-444.The IRSST's Research and Knowledge Translation Cycle is structured around the development and the maintenance of networksthat represent all the actors (researchers, employers and workers' associations and prevention associations). The dynamics ofthis approach respects the principle of union-management cooperation that characterizes Occupational Health and Safetyactivities in the province of Quebec. The continuous involvement of the stakeholders in all the research phases reinforces theidea that knowledge translation cannot be limited to the simple dissemination of results, once the research project is completed.For the IRSST, research becomes particularly relevant when workplaces appropriate results. A framework of practice wasdeveloped following a rigorous process led by knowledge transfer researchers and knowledge transfer advisors based on aextensive scientific literature review and a structured analysis of past knowledge transfer activities accomplished in the past 15years.As a result it became strongly evident that to ensure that the stakeholders (workers' and employers' associations, joint sectorbasedassociations) and end-users (workers and employers) appropriate the research results and implement them in theirworkplaces, some conditions had to be created. Six drivers were indentified to support the implementation of the model ofpractice.Madrid, October 20, 21 & 22 - 2010104