The translation research in a dental setting (TRiaDS) programme protocol

Abstract

BackgroundIt is well documented that the translation of knowledge into clinical practice is a slow and haphazard process. This is no less true for dental healthcare than other types of healthcare. One common policy strategy to help promote knowledge translation is the production of clinical guidance, but it has been demonstrated that the simple publication of guidance is unlikely to optimise practice. Additional knowledge translation interventions have been shown to be effective, but effectiveness varies and much of this variation is unexplained. The need for researchers to move beyond single studies to develop a generalisable, theory based, knowledge translation framework has been identified.For dentistry in Scotland, the production of clinical guidance is the responsibility of the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP). TRiaDS (Translation Research in a Dental Setting) is a multidisciplinary research collaboration, embedded within the SDCEP guidance development process, which aims to establish a practical evaluative framework for the translation of guidance and to conduct and evaluate a programme of integrated, multi-disciplinary research to enhance the science of knowledge translation.MethodsSet in General Dental Practice the TRiaDS programmatic evaluation employs a standardised process using optimal methods and theory. For each SDCEP guidance document a diagnostic analysis is undertaken alongside the guidance development process. Information is gathered about current dental care activities. Key recommendations and their required behaviours are identified and prioritised. Stakeholder questionnaires and interviews are used to identify and elicit salient beliefs regarding potential barriers and enablers towards the key recommendations and behaviours. Where possible routinely collected data are used to measure compliance with the guidance and to inform decisions about whether a knowledge translation intervention is required. Interventions are theory based and informed by evidence gathered during the diagnostic phase and by prior published evidence. They are evaluated using a range of experimental and quasi-experimental study designs, and data collection continues beyond the end of the intervention to investigate the sustainability of an intervention effect.DiscussionThe TRiaDS programmatic approach is a significant step forward towards the development of a practical, generalisable framework for knowledge translation research. The multidisciplinary composition of the TRiaDS team enables consideration of the individual, organisational and system determinants of professional behaviour change. In addition the embedding of TRiaDS within a national programme of guidance development offers a unique opportunity to inform and influence the guidance development process, and enables TRiaDS to inform dental services practitioners, policy makers and patients on how best to translate national recommendations into routine clinical activities.

Evaluating an audit and feedback intervention for reducing antibiotic prescribing behaviour in general dental practice (the RAPiD trial): a partial factorial cluster randomised trial protocol

“…The RAPiD trial is being conducted as part of NES’s TRiaDS (Translation Research in a Dental Setting) programme [12]. At writing (December 2013), data collection and delivery of the individualised baseline and six months A&F interventions have taken place.…”

Achieving good oral health in children: The importance of a current, relevant and unbiased evidence base in paediatric dentistry

“…Further information on TRiaDS can be accessed on the TRiaDS, Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP), and the Scottish Dental Practice Based Research Network (SDPBRN) websites, or in the published protocol. [26][27][28] The overall aim of this programme is to develop a generalisable framework that is readily transferable across national and international jurisdictions, and professional disciplines.…”

Understanding the Research–Policy Divide for Oral Health Inequality

“…A total of 762 of these items had been published since 2000. A far smaller set focussed on the translation of research into practice (Rogers 2012): improving the translation of data from clinical trials (Barnett and Pihlstrom 2004), for clinical guidelines (Clarkson 2004;Clarkson et al 2010) and for specific challenges such as women' s oral health (Daley et al 2013).…”