Knowledge Translation at Lorestan University of Medical Sciences: Evidence from Iran

Health systems around the world are encountered with the challenge of filling the gap between knowledge and practice.

This study aimed to investigate the status of knowledge translation at Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Iran.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017. For data collection, the knowledge translation self-assessment tool for research institutes was used. Data analysis was conducted based on the four-dimensional and seven-dimensional structures of the tool. The data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics.

The overall status of knowledge translation was at an average level with a mean score of 2.13 out of total score 5. The studied university acquired a mean score of 2.41 (good level) from maximum score 4.22 in the knowledge generation dimension and a mean score of 1.70 (weak level) from maximum score 3.50 in the dimension of promoting the use of evidence. Comparison of the mean scores of knowledge translation and its dimensions did not show any significant association with the faculty members’ characteristics (age, work experience, gender, education level, academic rank, and school).

Considering the overall level of knowledge translation and the poor level in some dimensions, it is suggested that the studied university puts the periodic self-assessment of knowledge translation on the agenda and designs and implements the improvement interventions based on the self-assessments