Clarification of knowledge translation in health system

Knowledge translation is a frequently observed concept in current health science literatures. However, there is no congruence about its definition and properties. Analysis of concept helps researchers to achieve a uniform, clear and understandable description. This study accomplished on 2009 to clarify and reduce ambiguities associated with the meaning of knowledge translation and promote the concept consistency in related literatures. Walker and Avant's eight-step model was used as the method. After extensive review of all published articles until 2009, we included 29 relevant articles in the analysis. By following the steps of model, definitions, characteristics, applications, antecedents and consequences and empirical referents of the concept were derived. According to the analysis, essential attributes of knowledge translation were emphasize on research knowledge application in practice, ongoing collaboration among knowledge producers and knowledge users, interactional and nonlinear process, and dependency on user and final context. In addition, the consequences of successful knowledge translation were community health promotion; more effective health services, improvement in practice and strengthen of the health care system. Since knowledge translation process in our country is relatively new and unknown, this concept analysis can improve implementation of more extent studies and development of research tools for identification of its barriers and facilitators and its execution.