Category: Blog

Imagine investing months or years-and millions of dollars-into developing a breakthrough health intervention, only to watch it stall before reaching the people who need it most. This is the harsh reality for over 60% of evidence-informed programs: they fail before ever delivering services to clients[1]. The culprit? A persistent chasm between what research tells us and what actually happens in practice. The solution: skilled Knowledge Translation (KT) practitioners. 

Bridging the Gap Between Evidence and Practice

Despite vast investments in health research, there remains a significant gap between what is known (research evidence) and what is done (clinical or policy practice). This “know-do gap” can result in patients not receiving the most effective treatments and decision-makers lacking the best available information[1][2][3]. Knowledge translation (KT) practitioners play a critical role in closing this gap by ensuring that high-quality research is actually used to inform real-world decisions, policies, and practices[4][1][5].

The Complex Nature of Knowledge Translation

KT is not simply about disseminating information. It is a dynamic, iterative process that involves synthesizing, evaluating, adapting, and sharing knowledge with a variety of stakeholders—including clinicians, policy-makers, and the public[1][2]. This process requires navigating barriers such as organizational culture, varying levels of research literacy, and competing interests. KT practitioners are trained to manage these complexities, tailoring strategies to specific contexts and audiences[6][7].

Core Competencies of KT Practitioners

Effective KT practitioners possess a unique set of competencies that extend beyond traditional research or clinical skills. According to recent frameworks and reviews, these competencies include:

• Understanding organizational and local contexts
• Mastery of research processes and evidence synthesis
• Skills in knowledge dissemination, including plain language communication
• Ability to adapt knowledge to different settings and audiences
• Proficiency in stakeholder engagement and collaboration
• Familiarity with KT theories, frameworks, and models[6][7][8][9]

These competencies enable KT practitioners to act as knowledge brokers, translating complex research findings into actionable insights and facilitating the exchange of knowledge between researchers and end-users[7][9].

Driving Evidence-Based Practice and Policy

Without dedicated KT practitioners, valuable research often remains underutilized, and opportunities for improving health outcomes are lost[2][3]. KT practitioners support the implementation of evidence-based interventions, help sustain change, and scale up successful innovations. They also play a key role in educating and training others within organizations, fostering a culture that values ongoing learning and adaptation[3][7].

Maximizing the Impact of Research Investment

Health systems invest billions in research, but much of this investment fails to translate into improved care or policy unless there are mechanisms in place to facilitate knowledge use[2]. KT practitioners ensure that research findings are not only shared but also understood, adapted, and applied in ways that benefit patients, providers, and society at large[2][3].

In summary:

Knowledge translation practitioners are essential for bridging the persistent gap between research and practice. Their specialized competencies, strategic approaches, and collaborative skills ensure that research investments lead to tangible improvements in health outcomes, policy, and practice[1][2][6][7][8][9]. Without them, the promise of evidence-based healthcare remains largely unrealized.

Ready to Become a KT Practitioner?

Ready to Build Your Skills as a KT Practitioner?

If you are a clinician or leader and want to learn more about the KT practitioner’s role in pre-implementation, consider the Essential Skills for the Knowledge Translation Practitioner offered by the Institute for Knowledge Translation.

Course Faculty:
Jennifer Moore PT, DHSc, NCS, Founder of the Institute for Knowledge Translation
Wendy Romney, PT, DPT, PhD, NCS

Course Description:
This online course empowers healthcare professionals to plan and execute KT projects using evidence-based strategies, interactive coursework, and mentoring. Participants will develop a KT plan tailored to their organization, with support from experienced faculty. The program is ideal for those seeking to implement evidence-based practices and drive real change in healthcare settings.

Imagine this:

You or a loved one suffers a stroke. You begin rehabilitation, trusting that the care provided is the best available. But what if the most effective, evidence-based techniques already existed—and yet no one offered them?

Not because they didn’t work, but because they hadn’t made it to practice yet.

Sadly, this isn’t a rare occurrence. Research shows it can take 17 years or more for clinical advances to reach the front lines of care—and even then, only about half of patients receive them. This delay isn’t due to a lack of evidence—it’s due to the lack of people who know how to translate that evidence into action.

That’s where Knowledge Translation (KT) practitioners come in.

What Is a Knowledge Translation Practitioner?

A Knowledge Translation (KT) practitioner is a trained professional who bridges the gap between what science knows and what care actually delivers. Their mission? To ensure that new research doesn’t just sit in journals, but is applied meaningfully in policy, clinical care, and organizational decision-making.

KT practitioners:

• Assess organizational readiness for change
• Select and adapt evidence-based interventions
• Coach teams through implementation, monitoring, and sustainability

Why It Matters—From a Patient’s Perspective

When best practices stay trapped in publications, patients suffer. Whether it’s a child recovering from brain injury or an older adult regaining mobility after surgery, patients deserve the most effective care possible—now, not 17 years from now.

KT practitioners accelerate access to the right care by helping organizations:

• Identify what works based on the latest evidence
• Adapt it to the local setting (rural clinic? large hospital?)
• Train staff and leaders to deliver it
• Sustain those changes over time

The result: Better care, sooner—for you, your family, and everyone in your community.

Why It Matters—From an Organization’s Perspective

Healthcare leaders often assume that publishing guidelines or holding a training session is enough. But evidence consistently shows that only 15% of implementation efforts succeed—and the biggest barriers aren’t knowledge, but execution.

Clinicians face real challenges:

• They don’t always know which evidence is current or trustworthy
• They may not have time or training to evaluate it
• Even if they do, they may not know how to apply it in practice
• Organizational systems may not support change

KT practitioners provide the missing link. They bring the tools, training, and strategies to move from information overload to evidence in action.

They help organizations:

• Align leadership, frontline staff, and patients
• Plan for real-world application of new interventions
• Identify and overcome barriers (e.g., lack of time, unclear roles)
• Evaluate impact and adapt for sustainability

What Do KT Practitioners Actually Do?

KT practitioners are implementation guides. Their work includes:

• Assessing readiness for change using frameworks like the Knowledge-to-Action (KTA) model or CFIR
• Engaging stakeholders (clinicians, leaders, patients) early and meaningfully
• Synthesizing and translating research into actionable plans
• Adapting evidence-based interventions to local needs
• Facilitating implementation efforts, often coaching teams in real time
• Measuring fidelity and outcomes to inform improvement
• Supporting sustainability and scaling of successful changes

Final Thoughts: Why KT Practitioners Are the Future

If you want better health outcomes, shorter delays in care innovation, and smarter use of limited resources, you need someone who knows how to make change happen.

That’s the KT practitioner.

Not a luxury—an essential.

Not extra work—the work that makes everything else matter.

Ready to Build or Hire KT Capacity in Your Organization?

Learn more about our Essential Skills for Knowledge Translation Practitioners course at the Institute for Knowledge Translation—designed for clinicians, leaders, and change agents who are ready to close the gap between research and reality.

Albers B, Metz A, Burke K. Implementation support practitioners – a proposal for consolidating a diverse evidence base. BMC Health Serv Res. 2020;20(1):368. Published 2020 May 1. doi:10.1186/s12913-020-05145-1

Bührmann L, Driessen P, Metz A, et al. Knowledge and attitudes of Implementation Support Practitioners-Findings from a systematic integrative review. PLoS One. 2022;17(5):e0267533. Published 2022 May 11. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0267533

Khan S, Manalili K, Moore JE. Core competencies and functions of implementation support practitioners. The Center for Implementation. Published May 23, 2024. Accessed June 4, 2025. https://thecenterforimplementation.com/toolbox/white-paper-core-competencies-and-functions-of-implementation-support-practitioners

Mallidou AA, Atherton P, Chan L, Frisch N, Glegg S, Scarrow G. Core knowledge translation competencies: a scoping review. BMC Health Serv Res. 2018;18(1):502. Published 2018 Jun 27. doi:10.1186/s12913-018-3314-4

Morris ZS, Wooding S, Grant J. The answer is 17 years, what is the question: understanding time lags in translational research. J R Soc Med. 2011;104(12):510-520. doi:10.1258/jrsm.2011.110180

Have you ever been involved with an implementation project and struggled getting buy-in from the whole team?  Maybe the team wasn’t convinced about the idea.  According to Alley et al (2023) only 15% of implementation projects are successful, and success is primarily determined by the pre-implementation phase.

What Is Pre-Implementation?

Pre-implementation is the essential preparatory phase that occurs before a project or program is formally launched. This stage lays the groundwork for successful onboarding and implementation using a collaborative process.

The pre-implementation phase typically includes three core stages:

1. Engagement – Bringing stakeholders together and fostering initial buy-in
2. Consideration of Feasibility – Assessing whether the project can succeed in the local context
3. Readiness Planning – Ensuring all technical, organizational, and human resources are in place for launch[2][3][4]

A rigorous pre-implementation process prevents problems later by clarifying expectations, aligning goals, and reducing costly changes during implementation[3][2]. In fact, research suggests that the success of the pre-implementation phase predicts the outcome of the implementation project!

Building Buy-In Before Change Happens

Knowledge translation (KT) practitioners are not only vital during and after implementation, but they are also essential before implementation even begins. Their early involvement is crucial for building support, addressing concerns, and ensuring that stakeholders are engaged and on board with upcoming changes.

Why Early Engagement Matters

• KT practitioners facilitate stakeholder engagement from the outset, using structured methods to gather input, address concerns, and build consensus[1].
• Early engagement helps to clarify the needs, expectations, and potential barriers faced by those who will be affected by the change, ensuring that the implementation plan is relevant and feasible[2][1].
• By involving stakeholders in pre-implementation, KT practitioners foster a sense of ownership and shared purpose, which is critical for successful adoption and sustainability of new practices[1].

Maximizing Impact Through Proactive KT

Involving KT practitioners before implementation ensures that change initiatives are not imposed top-down but are co-developed with those who will enact and sustain them. This proactive approach reduces resistance, increases readiness, and lays the groundwork for effective, lasting change[2][1].

In summary, KT practitioners are indispensable in the pre-implementation phase, where their skills in engagement, communication, and change management help get people on board and set the stage for successful, evidence-based improvements.

Ready to Build Your Skills as a KT Practitioner?

If you are a clinician or leader and want to learn more about the KT practitioner’s role in pre-implementation, consider the Essential Skills for the Knowledge Translation Practitioner offered by the Institute for Knowledge Translation.

Course Faculty:
Jennifer Moore PT, DHSc, NCS, Founder of the Institute for Knowledge Translation
Wendy Romney, PT, DPT, PhD, NCS

Course Description:
This online course empowers healthcare professionals to plan and execute KT projects using evidence-based strategies, interactive coursework, and mentoring. Participants will develop a KT plan tailored to their organization, with support from experienced faculty. The program is ideal for those seeking to implement evidence-based practices and drive real change in healthcare settings.