Enhancing Research Translation and Dissemination: A Case Study of the AHRQ Multiple Chronic Conditions Research Network

Background:  The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) strategic plan for 2014-2018 calls for accelerating the translation of research into practice.  Adoption of evidence based research into standard clinical practice typically takes many years; meanwhile consumers are not benefiting from new discoveries.  To meet the HHS goal, new research findings must be effectively communicated to policy makers, clinicians, and other key healthcare stakeholders. 

Program background:  AHRQ recently funded a technical assistance center (TAC) to support 27 individually grant-funded research projects comprising the Multiple Chronic Conditions Research Network.  The TAC employed a number of strategies to translate and disseminate individual grant findings and innovations, as well as information about the issue of multiple chronic conditions (MCC).  Strategies included: developing new materials to communicate messages directly to policy makers, clinicians and other lay audiences; training investigators to effectively and persuasively present their findings to diverse audiences; and actively engaging a broad range of stakeholders interested in MCC who contributed to dissemination. 

Evaluation Methods and Results:  Materials were developed and disseminated through the AHRQ MCC web page and directly to key stakeholders.  For example, a two-page profile of each study was developed to describ key findings in language that could be easily understood by policy makers and other lay persons.  Brief data profiles were written to describe data sets created for the infrastructure development grants.  A short animated video was created to depict what it is like to live with and manage MCC, an infographic visually communicated key statistics about MCC, and a chartbook described the scope and impact of MCC in America using easy to read graphs.  To help investigators learn to present their research to non-research audiences with a few crisp messages and without excess study details, the TAC challenged them to present their work in “60 second lectures” (based on a University of Pennsylvania series) and in presentations modeled after TED Talks. The TAC provided investigators with coaching, practice and support for these activities.  Video recordings were created and many are posted on the AHRQ website or the accompanying YouTube channel. 

Conclusions:  Researchers are skilled at communicating their findings and innovative methods to other researchers via peer reviewed publications and academic meeting presentations.  However, a different skill set is needed to effectively translate and disseminate their research findings for practicing clinicians and non-research audiences.  While investigators can be trained in research translating techniques it may not be an efficient use of their time or abilities.  Providing support and coaching to assist investigators with these efforts can help increase the impact and pace of translation and dissemination. 

Implications for research and/or practice:  Agencies within HHS that fund grant research should consider providing (either through program staff or outside consultants) communications and dissemination support to maximize the impact of findings and innovations and to accelerate the pace of translating research into practice.