So what is meant by translation?
There are varying uses and understandings of terms such as ‘innovation’ and ‘translation’ in the MIRI health care context.
Translational research is an approach to research with the goal of combining disciplines, resources, expertise, and techniques to promote enhancements in prevention, diagnosis, and therapies within the healthcare system. (Source: p.86-88)
Knowledge translation into practice is a dynamic process that includes synthesis, dissemination, exchange and application of knowledge to improve health, health services and the healthcare system.
(Source: The notion of Knowledge Translation was introduced by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) in 2000. The World Health Organization (WHO 2005) adapted the CIHR’s definition and defined knowledge translation as “the synthesis, exchange, and application of knowledge by relevant stakeholders to accelerate the benefits of global and local innovation in strengthening health systems and improving people’s health.”)
Healthcare innovation is the introduction of a new concept, idea, service, process, or product aimed at improving treatment, diagnosis, education, outreach, prevention and research, and with the long term goals of improving quality, safety, outcomes, efficiency and costs. (Source: Article 2)
Implementation is the process by which an innovation, program, intervention or practice is put into use. (Source)
Implementation Science is an emerging field worldwide and an essential component of promoting the systematic uptake of clinical research findings and other evidence-based practices into routine practice, to improve the quality (effectiveness, reliability, safety, appropriateness, equity, efficiency) of health care.
The Catalyst Program
The MIRI innovation function provides expertise and support in various frameworks and rigorous methods of implementation science, but also extensive practical facilitation support for clinicians undertaking implementation projects through the MIRI Catalyst program.
The Catalyst program provides direction over a suite of implementation projects with the aim of improving the quality and care provided to our communities. Catalyst will support clinicians with direction and capability development in the translation of research outcomes into improved health policy and practice, including health services evaluation to monitor the impact of implementation.
Catalyst projects are focused on the organisation, funding and delivery of health services, with an emphasis on cost-effective analysis to deliver value for money in health systems. The projects will also aim to uncover new knowledge about complex interventions through improved understanding of implementation, and expanding knowledge of complex systems change.
More information about the Catalyst program is available here Catalyst . If you have an idea for a Catalyst implementation project, please contact miri-catalyst@health.qld.gov.au.