ERIC Number: EJ759238
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 9
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0894-1912
EISSN: N/A
Improving Performance through Knowledge Translation in the Veterans Health Administration
Francis, Joseph; Perlin, Jonathan B.
Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, v26 n1 p63-71 Win 2006
The Veterans Health Administration (VA) provides a case study for linking performance measurement, information technology, and aligned research efforts to facilitate quality improvement in a large, complex health system. Dialogue between clinical researchers and VA leaders occurs through structured activities (e.g., the Quality Enhancement Research Initiative); engagement with formal policymaking bodies (e.g., development of clinical guidelines and performance measures); and informally through local, regional, and national work groups responsible for implementing evidence-based clinical initiatives. Important lessons for knowledge translation from the VA experience include the following: research needs to generate clinical evidence relevant to the needs of patients served by the health system; researchers need to systematically study the process of evidence implementation itself to increase the capability of the health system to improve performance; although print and Web-based dissemination structures are important, direct accessibility of researchers to policymakers and clinical leaders through formal and informal mechanisms is key; and both top-down and bottom-up activities are needed to integrate evidence-based practice across a large health system. As VA care moves from hospital and clinic into community-based settings and faces a new veteran population with different needs and expectations, knowledge-translation activities must develop new forms of evidence and more direct interaction with veterans and their caregivers.
Descriptors: Program Effectiveness, Research Needs, Veterans, Information Technology, Delivery Systems, Communication Strategies, Communication Research, Counseling Techniques, Clinical Psychology, Performance Based Assessment, Total Quality Management, Case Studies, Improvement Programs, Theory Practice Relationship
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Researchers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A