Table 2 IKT categories derived from group discussions
Category | Sub-category | Description |
|---|---|---|
IKT theory | Frameworks | IKT frameworks need to be identified, developed and validated |
Clarity | Greater theoretical clarity about IKT is required; the underlying assumptions of IKT need to be made explicit | |
IKT methods | Search filters | Search filters that identify IKT concepts in the literature are required |
IKT data collection | Development of approaches to obtaining meaningful data that illustrate the impact of IKT is required; considerations include embedded research from the health system and sampling from multiple populations for IKT outcomes | |
Outcomes | Specific IKT outcomes need to be identified | |
Evaluation | Tools for evaluating IKT need to be identified or developed and validated | |
Reporting guidelines | Report standards for IKT research studies are required | |
IKT processes | Initiating IKT | Identify strategies to initiate engagement with KUs |
Describing KU | Describe who the KUs are that are using IKT processes | |
Accountability | Identify who is accountable for the IKT process | |
Indicators of success | Identifying indicators of IKT success | |
Governance and leadership | Identify the governance structure for research required to support IKT | |
Promoting partnership | Level of partnership | Ensuring that KUs are involved in the research priority-setting and engaged with at the highest level of partnership; ensuring engagement is genuine and not tokenism |
Diversity | Accounting for diverse perspectives in the partnership process of IKT | |
Experiences | Need for detailed reporting on the characteristics and experiences of various knowledge user types involved in the IKT partnership | |
KU needs | Identifying and supporting the KU’s needs throughout the partnership | |
Safe spaces | Ensure safe participatory spaces for KUs | |
Researcher reciprocation | Identifying ways for researchers to meet the needs of vulnerable groups | |
KU reimbursement and IKT cost | Reimbursing KUs for their time and costs associated with collaboration | |
Definitions and distinctions | Distinguishing IKT from other concepts and approaches | Define and distinguish IKT from patient-oriented research, quality improvement, other designs and methods, learning health systems, implementation science |
Capacity-building | Repository | Create a repository of IKT frameworks, tools and publications |
Trainees | Develop a vision for building IKT capacity in trainees | |
Role of funders | Funding and costs | Examining how funders should account for the added cost of IKT |
Funders as KUs | Determining how and whether funders should be KUs | |
Peer-review | Exploring the impact of peer-reviewers on grant success | |
Structures | Changing the funding structures to support IKT and KU partnership |