Evidence-Based Knowledge Translation Activities to Support Public Health Management of Gonococcal Infection

Background: The Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections (the Guidelines) were updated in July 2013 to include new recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of gonococcal infections. A series of evidence-based knowledge translation products were developed and include a 2-page summary of the full guideline, a more fulsome summary submitted for peer review and publication, contribution to a mobile application, and the development of an online continuing professional development module (eCPD).

Methods: An extensive literature review and two surveys informed the development of the tools. Survey 1 occurred at the Guelph Sexual Health Conference (GSH 2012) and included primarily nurses (n=72). Survey 2 occurred at the (Canadian) Family Medicine Forum (FMF 2012) and primarily surveyed family physicians (n=207). Both surveys assessed user experience with the Guidelines and preference for future products.

Results: GSH 2012 respondents preferred formats were hard copy (82%), online copy (66%), and mobile applications (32%). 59% of GSH respondents preferred shortened versions of the full guideline. FMF 2012 respondents also preferred shortened versions of full guidelines (algorithms/flowcharts/decision trees - 60%) and abbreviated pocket guides (34%). In addition, 34% of FMF 2012 respondents were interested in mobile applications; preference for mobile applications was highest among medical residents (50%). However, hard copy was the first preference of 18%, and half of respondents would continue to use a hard copy in the presence of online or mobile sources. Online continuing professional development (25%) and scientific articles (27%) were chosen as important ways to update clinical knowledge.

Conclusions: Surveys of the two primary user populations of the Guidelines indicated a preference for shortened versions of the full guideline content, electronic versions (mobile or online), and continuing demand for traditional hard copy.  An evaluation will estimate the relative importance of each knowledge translation product.