Assessing Knowledge Translation in Iranian Medical Research Centres

Research centres have been always trying to promote their knowledge translation activities. Thus, understanding the status of knowledge translation in research centres is of high importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the status of knowledge translation in Iranian medical research centres to identify their weaknesses and strengths. This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study. To collect the data, we used a self-assessment tool which consisted of four domains: “research question”, “knowledge production”, “knowledge transfer”, and “the use of evidence”. Data was analyzed using SPSS and descriptive statistics. The mean score of “knowledge translation” in the studied research centres was 3.21 (SD= 0.69, Median= 3.29). “Knowledge production” obtained the highest score (M= of 3.6, SD= 0.72), followed by “knowledge transfer” (M=3.16, SD =0.76), “research question” (M=3.09, SD= 0.73), and “the use of evidence” (M= 2.95, SD= 0.98). Medical research centres had a proper situation in all aspects of knowledge translation. However, they should try to identify and prioritize the research questions of stakeholders and target groups by making more efficient relationship with them. They should also prepare appropriate reports of research results and should consider enough budgets for disseminating the reports among target groups and healthcare decision makers in order to allow them understand the actionable message of research results.