TY - JOUR
T1 - Academic Health Science Centres as Vehicles for Knowledge Mobilisation in Australia? A Qualitative Study
AU - Edelman, Alexandra
AU - Clay-Williams, Robyn
AU - Fischer, Michael
AU - Kislov, Roman
AU - Kitson, Alison
AU - McLoughlin, Ian
AU - Skouteris, Helen
AU - Harvey, Gillian
PY - 2022/6
Y1 - 2022/6
N2 - BACKGROUND: Despite increasing investments in academic health science centres (AHSCs) in Australia and an expectation that they will serve as vehicles for knowledge translation and exchange, there is limited empirical evidence on whether and how they deliver impact. The aim of this study was to examine and compare the early development of four Australian AHSCs to explore how they are enacting their impact-focused role. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative methodology was employed across four AHSCs located in diverse health system settings in urban and regional locations across Australia. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with 15 academic, industry and executive board members of participating AHSCs. The analysis combined inductive and deductive elements, with inductive categories mapped to deductive themes corresponding to the study aims. RESULTS: AHSCs in Australia are in an emergent state of development and are following different pathways. Whilst varied approaches to support research translation are apparent, there is a dominant focus on structure and governance, as opposed to action-oriented roles and processes to deliver strategic goals. Balancing collaboration and competition between partners presents a challenge, as does identifying appropriate ways to evaluate impact. CONCLUSION: The early stage of development of AHSCs in Australia presents an important opportunity for formative learning and evaluation to optimise their enactment of knowledge mobilisation processes for impact.
AB - BACKGROUND: Despite increasing investments in academic health science centres (AHSCs) in Australia and an expectation that they will serve as vehicles for knowledge translation and exchange, there is limited empirical evidence on whether and how they deliver impact. The aim of this study was to examine and compare the early development of four Australian AHSCs to explore how they are enacting their impact-focused role. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative methodology was employed across four AHSCs located in diverse health system settings in urban and regional locations across Australia. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with 15 academic, industry and executive board members of participating AHSCs. The analysis combined inductive and deductive elements, with inductive categories mapped to deductive themes corresponding to the study aims. RESULTS: AHSCs in Australia are in an emergent state of development and are following different pathways. Whilst varied approaches to support research translation are apparent, there is a dominant focus on structure and governance, as opposed to action-oriented roles and processes to deliver strategic goals. Balancing collaboration and competition between partners presents a challenge, as does identifying appropriate ways to evaluate impact. CONCLUSION: The early stage of development of AHSCs in Australia presents an important opportunity for formative learning and evaluation to optimise their enactment of knowledge mobilisation processes for impact.
KW - Academic Health Centre
KW - Australia
KW - Knowledge Mobilisation
KW - Research Impact
KW - Research Translation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85129998525&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.34172/ijhpm.2020.247
DO - 10.34172/ijhpm.2020.247
M3 - Article
C2 - 33590737
AN - SCOPUS:85129998525
SN - 2322-5939
VL - 11
SP - 840
EP - 846
JO - International Journal of Health Policy and Management
JF - International Journal of Health Policy and Management
IS - 6
ER -