Abstract

Background: Knowledge Translation (KT) in health service can be conceptualized as evidence based knowledge transfer to clinical practice. KT puts evidence-informed innovations into practice and evaluates the effectiveness innovations. The use of Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) is rare in clinics despite its scientific evidence and potential benefit for patient care. Appropriate KT plan can reduce the gap between scientific evidence and clinical practice. This KT project aimed to develop and conduct beta testing of two KT tools (created knowledge) with the target population (clinicians) who treat musculoskeletal pain disorders.

Methods: This paper explores how evidence-informed innovations (knowledge creation) may work in action process model of KT. The whole process may be defined as “knowledge-to-action” process, and it is a dynamic interaction between researchers, clinicians and stakeholders. We used Ovid database (e.g. MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, PsycINFO) for literature review and KT tool production ((knowledge creation). This KT project evaluated two KT tools (manual and video) by administering the survey with 12 clinicians.

Results: Overall rating of the KT tools (manual and video) = 5.75 out of 6. All responses from 12 clinicians were affirmative answer and minimum 75% inquires strongly agreed on all components/topics. Clinicians supported implementation of the two QST techniques for the clinical setting and their feedback assisted in the strategy for implementation.

Conclusions: Evaluation of KT through the wide lens of the “knowledge-to-action” process creates awareness of the value of clinicians and research based evidence. It justifies opportunities and pathways of KT for QST in clinic. The study with a KT model reflected clinical perspective of knowledge has a potential role in successful KT intervention. The future directed models may allow clinicians and stakeholders to analyse complex situation in health service, and it may help to identify target KT strategies to solve the practical problem for implementing two reliable, feasible and economic QST in clinical practice.

Keywords: Pain evaluation; Sensory assessment; Evidence transfer;Clinical application