A Knowledge Translation Wiki: Who Knew? How Cool.

JMIR has a new original paper “Engaging With a Wiki Related to Knowledge Translation: A Survey of WhatisKT Wiki Users” from Mathew, McKibbon, Lokker, Colquhoun out of McMaster University and Ottawa Hospital. In 2008 WhatisKT (What is Knowledge Translation) wiki was launched. It was a collaborative platform for knowledge translation. What is KT you ask? On their wiki they have 22 definitions. Here is one which covers it well.

Knowledge translation is a dynamic and iterative process that includes synthesis, dissemination, exchange and ethically sound application of knowledge to improve the health of Canadians, provide more effective health services and products and strengthen the health care system. (2008 definition)

The authors stated the objective for their study, “gain an understanding of the perceived value of the website, reasons for not engaging in the wiki, and suggestions to facilitate collaboration and improve the usability of the wiki.” I guess if you build it they won’t come. Well that’s not true, since 2008 they’ve logged in 73,000 unique visitors. But not many contributors.

My interest in this first what a great site to find definitions and information regarding KT. Just a quick tooling around I found this definition for Knowledge Diffusion

“Vast amounts of high-quality knowledge are worthless without effective mechanisms of transmission. Humans are social animals and knowledge, which they create, is transferred through the social interactions of people. This transfer, called Knowledge Diffusion allows for the communication of ideas.”

Sums up what is happen in SM and healthcare while pointing out what need to do, improve social interactions between HCP and patients on health knowledge. This site is a place to spend a couple of hours looking and learning. 

Take a look at the site here and dive into the your own knowledge diffusion. 

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