Evaluation and comparison of knowledge translation patterns in selected countries with Iran: A comparative study

BACKGROUND: One of the main issues related to the inefficiency of the health system is the lack of sufficient communication between researchers and health policymakers regarding the exchange of the latest findings and the use of inappropriate evidence to manage cases. The knowledge translation removes this disconnect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this comparative study, to obtain appropriate data on the status of knowledge translation, refer to the databases of reputable centers and governments and the knowledge translation models were reviewed in the title of main articles, abstracts, guidelines, and reports of reputable international organizations between 2005 and 2020. The origin of the models was determined, then the countries with the largest number of models were selected and analyzed using Walt and Gilson's “Policy Triangle framework in four dimensions: context, content, process, and actors.” RESULTS: All the three countries have politically, socially, and economically made knowledge translation one of their policy priorities. Iran's centralized health system is a major obstacle. The USA and Canada have clear strategies and coherent and practical infrastructures that implement the knowledge translation in the form of operational plans. In contrast, in Iran, it has been enough to establish the knowledge translation centers at the level of universities and knowledge translation websites. In Iran, the Ministry of Health and universities of medical sciences play a direct role, but in Canada, they also use knowledge broker to apply knowledge. CONCLUSION: Iran is building capacity in the field of knowledge translation. That the implementation of interventions with the cooperation of macro policymakers can strengthen it.