TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluation outcomes of a knowledge translation platform
T2 - A structure for support and exchange in prevention
AU - Pettman, Tahna Lee
AU - Armstrong, Rebecca
AU - Johnson, Shae
AU - Love, Penelope
AU - Gill, Timothy
AU - Coveney, John
AU - Swinburn, Boyd
AU - Allender, Steven
N1 - Funding Information:
As described in the published plan and methods for this evaluation (Pettman et al, 2016), in Australia in 2007, knowledge exchange between community-based initiatives (CBIs) for obesity prevention was limited, which impeded translation of evidence into CBI practice. To improve knowledge exchange, evaluation and dissemination, academics across three universities proposed to curate a network of community-based initiatives (CBIs). Supported by the Australian government, the Collaboration of Community-based Obesity Prevention Sites (CO-OPS) was funded from 2009–11 (Allender et al, 2011; Swinburn and Wood, 2013). Due to the growth and perceived value in the network, with further government funding CO-OPS was able to expand into a national KT platform in 2012, delivered over three years from 2013 to June 2015 by the same three universities (Deakin – Victoria, Melbourne, Sydney) and an additional collaborating university (Flinders – South Australia). CO-OPS aimed to support best practice in the promotion of healthy eating and regular physical activity. As the first fully-funded national KT platform, an evaluation was critical, and fortunately, a portion of the government funding was able to be directed to a pragmatic evaluation which was led by the University of Melbourne from early 2013 to June 2015.
Publisher Copyright:
© Policy Press 2020
PY - 2020
Y1 - 2020
N2 - Obesity prevention is an urgent public health priority that requires action at multiple levels. Collaboration between academics, policy and practice is necessary to ensure best-practice implementation. A national knowledge translation and exchange (KT) platform, the Collaboration of Community-based Obesity Prevention Sites (CO-OPS), was delivered and evaluated over three years (2013–15). A mixed-methods evaluation used communications and website data, knowledge-brokering data, event evaluations, interviews and tracer searches to assess process (reach, delivery, quality, cost, uptake) and impact (use of tools/resources, networking, improvements in practice). Results included: 1) average 27% yearly membership growth (330 new members per year) in response to KT activities including tailored communications, stakeholder engagement, knowledge brokering and networking opportunities; 2) sustained website use with approximately 1200 visits/month and 73% unique visitors; and high access to networking and professional development information (120 hits/month), and best practice guidelines (60 hits/month); 3) higher uptake of face-to-face interactive strategies (for example, workshops) than online interactive strategies (for example, knowledge broker service) and higher uptake of passive KT (for example, website resources) than interactive KT strategies (for example, workshops); 4) the KT function of CO-OPS was clearly valued, and appeared to address a gap in implementation. A central coordinating KT platform provided support for best practice and exchange opportunities to a broad network of practice, policy and academic professionals. Simple KT strategies such as tailored, targeted online resources were useful for practice, whilst more intensive KT strategies were important for network engagement. Findings are applicable to other information-sharing networks where professionals address complex public health problems.
AB - Obesity prevention is an urgent public health priority that requires action at multiple levels. Collaboration between academics, policy and practice is necessary to ensure best-practice implementation. A national knowledge translation and exchange (KT) platform, the Collaboration of Community-based Obesity Prevention Sites (CO-OPS), was delivered and evaluated over three years (2013–15). A mixed-methods evaluation used communications and website data, knowledge-brokering data, event evaluations, interviews and tracer searches to assess process (reach, delivery, quality, cost, uptake) and impact (use of tools/resources, networking, improvements in practice). Results included: 1) average 27% yearly membership growth (330 new members per year) in response to KT activities including tailored communications, stakeholder engagement, knowledge brokering and networking opportunities; 2) sustained website use with approximately 1200 visits/month and 73% unique visitors; and high access to networking and professional development information (120 hits/month), and best practice guidelines (60 hits/month); 3) higher uptake of face-to-face interactive strategies (for example, workshops) than online interactive strategies (for example, knowledge broker service) and higher uptake of passive KT (for example, website resources) than interactive KT strategies (for example, workshops); 4) the KT function of CO-OPS was clearly valued, and appeared to address a gap in implementation. A central coordinating KT platform provided support for best practice and exchange opportunities to a broad network of practice, policy and academic professionals. Simple KT strategies such as tailored, targeted online resources were useful for practice, whilst more intensive KT strategies were important for network engagement. Findings are applicable to other information-sharing networks where professionals address complex public health problems.
KW - Evidence-informed practice
KW - Exchange
KW - Knowledge translation
KW - Networks
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85091929192&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1332/174426418X15260526569269
DO - 10.1332/174426418X15260526569269
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85091929192
SN - 1744-2648
VL - 16
SP - 99
EP - 121
JO - Evidence and Policy
JF - Evidence and Policy
IS - 1
ER -