School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo (SUNY), Buffalo, NY, USA.
Implement Sci. 2010 Feb 1;5:9. doi: 10.1186/1748-5908-5-9.
Knowledge Translation (KT) has historically focused on the proper use of knowledge in healthcare delivery. A knowledge base has been created through empirical research and resides in scholarly literature. Some knowledge is amenable to direct application by stakeholders who are engaged during or after the research process, as shown by the Knowledge to Action (KTA) model. Other knowledge requires multiple transformations before achieving utility for end users. For example, conceptual knowledge generated through science or engineering may become embodied as a technology-based invention through development methods. The invention may then be integrated within an innovative device or service through production methods. To what extent is KT relevant to these transformations? How might the KTA model accommodate these additional development and production activities while preserving the KT concepts?
Stakeholders adopt and use knowledge that has perceived utility, such as a solution to a problem. Achieving a technology-based solution involves three methods that generate knowledge in three states, analogous to the three classic states of matter. Research activity generates discoveries that are intangible and highly malleable like a gas; development activity transforms discoveries into inventions that are moderately tangible yet still malleable like a liquid; and production activity transforms inventions into innovations that are tangible and immutable like a solid. The paper demonstrates how the KTA model can accommodate all three types of activity and address all three states of knowledge. Linking the three activities in one model also illustrates the importance of engaging the relevant stakeholders prior to initiating any knowledge-related activities.
Science and engineering focused on technology-based devices or services change the state of knowledge through three successive activities. Achieving knowledge implementation requires methods that accommodate these three activities and knowledge states. Accomplishing beneficial societal impacts from technology-based knowledge involves the successful progression through all three activities, and the effective communication of each successive knowledge state to the relevant stakeholders. The KTA model appears suitable for structuring and linking these processes.
知识转化（KT）历来侧重于在医疗保健服务中正确使用知识。通过实证研究创建了知识库，并存在于学术文献中。一些知识可供在研究过程中或之后参与的利益相关者直接应用，这表明知识到行动（KTA）模型是可行的。其他知识需要经过多次转换才能为最终用户提供实用价值。例如，通过科学或工程产生的概念知识可能通过开发方法体现在基于技术的发明中。然后，该发明可以通过生产方法集成到创新设备或服务中。KT 在多大程度上与这些转化相关？KTA 模型如何在保留 KT 概念的同时适应这些额外的开发和生产活动？
利益相关者采用和使用具有感知效用的知识，例如解决问题的方法。实现基于技术的解决方案涉及三种方法，这些方法会生成三种状态的知识，类似于物质的三种经典状态。研究活动产生无形且高度可塑的发现，就像气体一样；开发活动将发现转化为具有一定有形性且仍具有一定可塑的发明，就像液体一样；生产活动将发明转化为有形且不可改变的创新，就像固体一样。本文演示了 KTA 模型如何适应所有三种类型的活动并解决所有三种状态的知识。在一个模型中链接这三个活动还说明了在启动任何与知识相关的活动之前，让相关利益相关者参与的重要性。
专注于基于技术的设备或服务的科学和工程通过三个连续的活动改变知识的状态。实现知识实施需要适应这三种活动和知识状态的方法。从基于技术的知识中获得有益的社会影响需要成功完成所有三个活动，以及将每个连续的知识状态有效地传达给相关利益相关者。KTA 模型似乎适合于构建和链接这些过程。
