Chan et al., (2019) describe knowledge translation as “the communication between scientists, healthcare professionals, educators, and journals to convey information” (p.21). Knowledge translation focuses on modifying practice, policy, and behaviors by putting research into action (Paterson et al., 2018). Chan et al., (2019) state that social media is an impactful tool for knowledge to be transferred by physicians to the public and patients. To minimize health care utilization, smoking, and drunk driving, media campaigns have been used (Roland, 2018). “The ability to build, at minimal cost, effective multimedia presentations on social media platforms and distribute them effectively further improves the ability to deliver health policy via this medium” (Roland, 2018, p.149). The distribution and generation of content by users is simplified by technology-mediated platforms such as social media which includes single author dialogue platforms such as Twitter, and collaborative authorship platforms such as Wikipedia (Chan et al., 2019). Strengths of the use of social media as a knowledge translation tool include that it is; readily available, can reach many individuals rapidly, is simple to use, and can be free to access. Some limitations to the use of social media as a knowledge translation strategy include; an overload of information, and/or a lack of reliability of the information (Roland, 2018). Roland (2018) states that by the linking the material to sources of evidence, the reliability of information on social media can be improved. Evidence-informed decision-making is promoted in public health through knowledge translation strategies (La Rocca et al., 2012). Another potential KT strategy that can be used in public health is organizational change (La Rocca et al., 2012). To promote screening associated with cancer and immunization, various knowledge translation intervention factors were assessed including organizational change, provider financial incentive, provider education, provider feedback, and provider reminders (La Rocca et al., 2012). Organizational change was found to be the most effective knowledge translation strategy for the improved use of adult preventative services by providers, and provider feedback was found to be the least effective (La Rocca et al., 2012).
References
Chan, T. M., Dzara, K., Dimeo, S. P., Bhalerao, A., & Maggio, L. A. (2019). Social media in
knowledge translation and education for physicians and trainees: A scoping review.
Perspectives on Medical Education, 9(1), 20–30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40037-019-
LaRocca, R., Yost, J., Dobbins, M., Ciliska, D., & Butt, M. (2012). The effectiveness of knowledge
translation strategies used in public health: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 12(1), 1-
15. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-751
Paterson, M., Lagosky, S., & Mason, R. (2018). Health promotion and knowledge translation: Two
roads to the same destination? Global Health Promotion, 25(3), 65–69.
Roland, D. (2018). Social media, health policy, and knowledge translation. Journal of the
American College of Radiology, 15(1), 149–152.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacr.2017.09.009
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