JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The Knowledge Translation Innovation Incubator (KTII) initiative, launched by the Knowledge Translation program of the CHILD-BRIGHT Strategic Patient Oriented Research Network, provided funding support for researchers and partners to experiment with various approaches and strategies to support the development of innovative KT research in the context of neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Objective:

We aimed to explore what the context of innovative KT research is, and how different types of strategies generate true innovation in integrated Knowledge Translation (iKT) approach in patient-oriented research.

Methods:

We applied an iKT approach to conduct the multiple case study of seven KTII-funded projects. We interviewed ten researchers, four research trainees, two clinicians, two family/parent partners, two patient partners (one adult and one youth), one community partner, one KT specialist, one designer, and one research program manager, at the middle and the end of the project period. We conducted qualitative content analysis using the Consolidate Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to identify and assess patterns of determinants of 1) drivers of innovation, 2) facilitators and barriers to innovation development, 3) enablers for sustainability of KT products.

Results:

An identified know-do gap and social justice lens focusing on human rights of young people with disabilities were main drivers for innovation development, in addition to resources such as funding and existing partnerships. Engagement was central to the entire innovation development process in all cases. All research teams applied a participatory design approach characterized by researchers’ passion, motivation, and interest in knowledge co-creation with patient-partners. Researcher’s openness and intentional efforts to address the existing power difference by listening to diverse views, respectful and accessible communication, and providing multiple methods of participation facilitated relational connections. Lastly, sustainment of innovation requires not only funding but also changes in local condition and attitude to create a favorable socio-economic environment to address inequality and injustices.

Conclusions:

The current study demonstrates multi-dimensional aspects of innovative KT in patient-oriented research. For successful innovative KT, the research landscape should also change in terms of funding and timeline in order to foster researchers’ mental models in designing thinking and actions on collaborative research engagement.