Building knowledge development and exchange capacity in Canada: lessons from Youth Excel

Abstract

Introduction Youth Excel was a 3-year pan-Canadian initiative to advance youth health through improving knowledge development and exchange (KDE) capacity. KDE capacity refers to an improvement cycle linking evidence and action. Capacities include local surveillance of youth behaviours; knowledge exchange; skills, resources and a supportive environment to use knowledge; and evaluation. Methods Interviews were conducted with Youth Excel members, including 7 provincial teams and 2 national organizations. Interviews explored participant experiences with building KDE capacity. Results Local surveillance systems were considered the backbone to KDE capacity, strengthened by co-ordinating surveys within and across jurisdictions and using common indicators and measures. The most effective knowledge exchange included tailored products and opportunities for dialogue and action planning. Evaluation is the least developed KDE component. Building KDE capacity requires frequent dialogue, mutually beneficial partnerships and trust. It also requires attention to language, vision, strategic leadership and funding. Conclusion Youth Excel reinforces the need for a KDE system to improve youth health that will require new perspectives and sustained commitment from individual champions and relevant organizations.

“Now What?” Perceived Factors Influencing Knowledge Exchange in School Health Research

“…Knowledge exchange, in which researchers and knowledge users collaboratively disseminate and apply research findings (Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement, 2017), represents one way to fill this gap. However, evaluation of these initiatives remains limited, despite an identified need (Murnaghan et al, 2013; Riley, Wong, & Manske, 2014).…”

“…Developing and evaluating knowledge exchange strategies in school health research is a priority (Moore, Littlecott, Fletcher, Hewitt, & Murphy, 2016). Recommended strategies include using research summaries (e.g., reports, websites, newsletters) to engage knowledge users, building research–practice–policy partnerships, and adapting initiatives to meet specific stakeholder needs (Murnaghan et al, 2013; Riley et al, 2014). Knowledge brokering, a relational approach that involves individuals or organizations providing a link between researchers and knowledge users to translate research findings (Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement, 2017; Meyer, 2010), is proposed as a useful strategy (Riley et al, 2014).…”

“…Recommended strategies include using research summaries (e.g., reports, websites, newsletters) to engage knowledge users, building research–practice–policy partnerships, and adapting initiatives to meet specific stakeholder needs (Murnaghan et al, 2013; Riley et al, 2014). Knowledge brokering, a relational approach that involves individuals or organizations providing a link between researchers and knowledge users to translate research findings (Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement, 2017; Meyer, 2010), is proposed as a useful strategy (Riley et al, 2014). While knowledge brokering strategies may seem similar to those used in technical assistance (McVay, Stamatakis, Jacobs, Tabak, & Brownson, 2016), the intent of the former is for both researchers and practitioners to influence each other’s work through relationship (Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement, 2017).…”