Forfatter: ayokay

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.

Physical therapists play a critical role in the healthcare for people with motor subtypes of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). Physical therapy is recognized as a first-line treatment for improving function and symptoms in individuals with FND. However, despite its effectiveness, people with FND often face challenges and misperceptions within the healthcare system and healthcare providers, leading to significant iatrogenic harm.

The Impact on Individuals with FND:

• Misdiagnosis and Unnecessary Treatments: Misdiagnosing FND as another condition, such as epilepsy, can lead to harmful medications and procedures. For example, unnecessary anti-epileptic drugs can be teratogenic and toxic, causing physical and psychological harm.
• Psychological Harm: Patients often face stigma and dismissal, which can exacerbate symptoms and hinder recovery. Terms like ‘pseudo’ have led to accusations of faking symptoms, further isolating individuals. Studies have identified distinct patterns of brain activity in individuals with FND, demonstrating that the brain functions differently in those with functional symptoms compared to those faking or feigning symptoms.
• Delayed Diagnosis: Patients with FND often wait longer for a diagnosis, delaying access to treatment and potential recovery.

The Economic Reality of FND Care:

• Rising Health Care Costs: The cost of FND care has significantly increased, surpassing $2 billion in 2019. This rise is largely driven by increasing numbers of patients diagnosed with FND and higher admission rates, particularly for functional seizures.
• Limited Research Funding: Despite these high costs, NIH funding for FND remains the lowest compared to other neurologic and psychiatric disorders. This disparity highlights a need for increased investment in research to improve care and reduce costs.

Your Role as a Physical Therapist:

• Early Recognition: You can play an important role by recognizing symptoms and performing clinical exams that identify rule-in signs for FND, such as the Hoover sign or tremor entrainment test. Identification of rule in signs and communication with the healthcare team helps prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatments.
• Developing Care Plans: By developing plans of care that promote independent self-management of symptoms, you can empower patients to take an active role in their recovery. This includes strategies to manage motor symptoms and improve functional outcomes.
• Patient-Centered Care: Understanding FND helps provide compassionate care, reducing stigma and fostering trust. This approach is crucial for improving patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Why Should You Learn About FND?

• Prevent Misdiagnosis: Early recognition of FND can prevent unnecessary treatments and interventions.
• Address Stigma: Understanding FND helps provide compassionate care, reducing stigma and fostering trust.
• Optimize Treatment: Learning about FND ensures timely interventions and better patient outcomes.
• Enhance Patient-Centered Care: Recognizing the validity of FND symptoms empowers patients to take an active role in their recovery.

Join Our Course

Our comprehensive course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to address FND effectively. Learn how to:

• Identify key signs and symptoms
• Develop patient-centered communication strategies
• Integrate FND into your practice for better outcomes

Empower Your Patients, Enhance Your Practice

Sign up today and become part of a community dedicated to improving care for individuals with FND. Together, let’s reduce iatrogenic harm and provide the best possible support for those who need it most. #FND #PhysicalTherapy #PatientFirst #IatrogenicHarmPrevention