Identifying a region-level ‘Knowledge Translation Signature’ in rectal cancer surgery – an observational pilot study

Background Knowledge translation (KT) interventions can facilitate the implementation of evidence-based practice and help close quality gaps. Across Ontario, since approximately the year 2006, numerous KT interventions have been implemented by the provincial cancer agency or by individual researchers. Ontario is divided administratively into 14 Local Health Integrated Networks (LHINs). We piloted a methodology to summarize and score at the LHIN level all KT activities implemented to improve the quality of rectal surgery (i.e., a KT Signature score).Methods We interviewed stakeholders to identify KT interventions used in respective LHINs over years 2006 to 2014. Results were summarized into narrative and visual forms. KT experts reviewed and scored final summaries using a 20-item KT Signature Assessment Tool. Scores for each item ranged from 1 – 5. Thus scores could range from 20-100 for each LHIN.Results There were thirty interviews. KT experts produced KT Signature scores for each LHIN that were bimodally distributed with an average score for 2 LHINs of 78 (range 73-83) and for 12 LHINs of 30.5 (range 22-38).Conclusion Related to region level KT interventions to improve rectal cancer surgery quality, we identified two KT Signature types. Scores in 12 Ontario LHINs were low reflecting minimal efforts. Two LHINs had high scores reflecting implementation of numerous KT interventions in addition to those encouraged by the provincial cancer agency. Our methods and results require further validation. But they should be of interest to stakeholders implementing interventions designed to improve medical care at a population level.