Feng Gregory, Simpson Robert, Lai Nanette, Bayley Mark, Luong Dorothy, Munce Sarah
KITE Research Institute (Toronto Rehabilitation Institute), University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada.
Res Involv Engagem. 2025 Jul 28;11(1):88. doi: 10.1186/s40900-025-00763-7.
Integrated knowledge translation (iKT) represents an approach to optimizing health interventions research through active collaboration between researchers and knowledge users throughout the research process. To date, few studies have explored the process of engaging in iKT, particularly in the context of multiple sclerosis (MS) research. Building on a larger iKT-informed study exploring mindfulness-based interventions for people living with MS, this study explores the perspectives of iKT panellists and extended collaborators on the use of iKT in health research.
This qualitative descriptive study utilized one-on-one semi-structured interviews conducted using Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Interviews were 20-30 min in duration. An interview guide informed by the Ontario Brain Institute's framework for patient engagement across the stages of research was used. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.
A total of eight iKT partners were interviewed, five were members of the iKT panel and three were extended collaborators. Five themes on the use of iKT in health interventions research on MS were identified: (1) defining iKT, (2) motivation and meaningful participation in iKT, (3) the importance of networking in iKT, (4) balancing multiple perspectives, and (5) barriers and facilitators to engaging in iKT. Within these themes, interviewees highlighted the need for further definition and operationalization of concepts. Discussion on the representativeness of iKT partners and recruitment of 'hard to reach' knowledge users was also salient.
The findings from this study provide useful considerations for other teams using an iKT approach. Future research directions include finding/maximizing meaningful ways for knowledge users to participate, exploring ways in which knowledge users could lead/co-lead (rather than consult on) research activities, and examining the potential role of an iKT facilitator.
整合知识转化（iKT）是一种通过研究人员与知识使用者在整个研究过程中的积极合作来优化健康干预研究的方法。迄今为止，很少有研究探讨参与iKT的过程，特别是在多发性硬化症（MS）研究的背景下。基于一项更大的以iKT为指导的研究，该研究探索了基于正念的干预措施对MS患者的影响，本研究探讨了iKT小组成员和扩展合作者对iKT在健康研究中的应用的看法。
这项定性描述性研究采用一对一的半结构化访谈，通过Zoom或Microsoft Teams进行。访谈时长为20 - 30分钟。使用了安大略脑研究所的患者参与研究各阶段框架所指导的访谈指南。访谈逐字记录、编码，并采用归纳主题分析法进行分析。
共采访了8名iKT合作伙伴，其中5名是iKT小组的成员，3名是扩展合作者。确定了关于iKT在MS健康干预研究中的应用的五个主题：（1）定义iKT，（2）iKT中的动机和有意义的参与，（3）iKT中建立网络的重要性，（4）平衡多种观点，以及（5）参与iKT的障碍和促进因素。在这些主题中，受访者强调了对概念进行进一步定义和操作化的必要性。关于iKT合作伙伴的代表性以及招募“难以接触到”的知识使用者的讨论也很突出。
本研究的结果为其他使用iKT方法的团队提供了有益的参考。未来的研究方向包括寻找/最大化知识使用者有意义的参与方式，探索知识使用者能够领导/共同领导（而不是就研究活动提供咨询）的方式，以及研究iKT促进者的潜在作用。
