Exciting changes to KT Pathways

Knowledge translation learners now have more ways to support their learning, thanks to some new upgrades to KT Pathways, a KT digital assessment and learning tool.

 

What is KT Pathways?

KT Pathways is an online self-assessment tool and resource guide to help identify and improve KT skills and knowledge. Led by MSFHR, it was co-developed by KT leaders in all of the BC health authorities, BC Ministry of Health, UBC, SFU, University of Victoria, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, UNBC, Providence Health Care and the BC SUPPORT Unit.

The tool enables researchers, knowledge brokers and those who use research evidence in their practice, to rate themselves on a range of KT competencies and receive an overall assessment on areas of strength and areas for further development. Users are also provided with professional development resources to further their KT learning and practice.

Since its launch in May, 2019, KT Pathways has had over 7,000 unique visitors from over 130 countries. In addition, over 1,300 users have created profiles to access over 300 resources in the library.

Why we made changes to KT Pathways

After its launch, the BC SUPPORT unit generously provided two years of funding to maintain as well as make improvements to the tool. After an evaluation, users let us know that they wanted a personalized library that would allow them to store, organize and comment on the resources.

What changes have been made?

We listened! Now KT Pathways users who have created a free account will have a personalized resource library.

Users can now:

• Save and organize KT resources
• Insert comments and highlights on the resources
• Rank saved resources according to their utility

For current users, there is no need to create a new account. All changes will automatically appear.

Want a tutorial?

Take a look at this short video to guide you through the steps of creating a personal resource library.

2018 MSFHR Research Trainee Dr. Jasmin Ma is post-doctoral fellow working with Dr. Linda Li at Arthritis Research Canada) and has worked as an adapted personal trainer for people with disabilities for seven years. She has used this experience to leverage behaviour change science and integrated knowledge translation to design interventions for increasing physical activity levels among people with disabilities and chronic disease.

Dr. Ma had this to say about KT Pathways:

“To me, knowledge translation is about getting the right information, to the right people, at the right time. It’s an important piece of the research process that helps ensure we’re involving those who the research is intended for, increasing the likelihood for that knowledge to usefully make it into the hands of end-users. KT Pathways is a fantastic tool to support KT and benefits a wide range of users. As an educator, I’ve used KT pathways as a pre-assessment tool to get a sense of the knowledge and experience our learners are coming in with, helping to tailor the content I deliver. For those wanting to learn more about KT, it’s a one-stop shop that offers high-quality, tailored resources. Likewise, for the researchers/organizations creating KT evidence and resources, this tool is a great platform to host and disseminate their work. In my mind, MSFHR and their KT team really hit the nail on the head in creating a usable tool that connects KT educators, learners, and researchers.”

Interested in assessing and strengthening your KT know-how? Create your own free KT Pathways account.