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O3‐07‐06: How CDKTN links knowledge translated research to users
Author(s) -
Kehoe Sarah,
Adams Jocelyn
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2012.05.1182
Subject(s) - knowledge translation , dementia , resource (disambiguation) , curriculum , health care , medical education , knowledge sharing , medicine , psychology , nursing , knowledge management , political science , pedagogy , computer science , computer network , disease , pathology , law
Background: Currently the number of people with dementia is escalating and health care systems are increasingly challenged resulting in families struggling as caregivers. Additional challenges for care partners include timely access to research-based evidence, practices, services and resources in their communities. The Canadian Dementia Knowledge Translation Network (CDKTN) was established as a network to facilitate effective knowledge translation to improve the health of Canadians with dementia. CDKTN helps researchers, students and practitioners translate their work into practice and distribute it to those who need it most—patients, families and care partners.Methods: CDKTNmembers provide a global vehicle for identifying and resolving gaps between research and practice, prevention, treatment and care. Three areas of focus include: Education and Training in Knowledge Translation—developing specific training programs to bridge knowledge and training gaps, while complementing existing models. Dementia Resource and Knowledge Exchange—targets frontline professionals across a clinical-policy-social spectrum while focusing on knowledge exchange and sharing of resources. Person and Care Partner Centred Knowledge Translation—focuses on improving the quality of life for persons with dementia, their families and care partners. Results: Three main areas of focus for CDKTN’s KT efforts: 1) KT training grants: Provides funding opportunities for researchers to conduct KT projects in the area of dementia research. Since the starting the training grants, over 26 have been awarded to develop research into practice. 2) Knowledge broker— CRAKE:Delivers webinars to educate over 6176 individuals about dementia research and resources. 3) KT curriculum development: A focus on trainees (students, researchers and practitioners) in studies and disciplines relevant to dementia. It includes development of specific training programs and opportunities for researchers and health practitioners in knowledge translation and exchange (KT&E) and curriculum development.Conclusions:CDKTN has establish itself as a Canadian-wide KT network devoted to applying dementia research to improve dementia care policies and the quality of care for people with dementia, their families and other care partners.