RESEARCH IMPACT, DISSEMINATION AND KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION IN SIGNIFICANCE FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Abstract

Health and rehabilitation research generates value only when evidence is translated into routine practice, services, and policy that improve everyday participation and well-being. Occupational therapy (OT), with its strong focus on context, participation, and occupational justice, faces persistent challenges in bridging the know–do gap between research and real-world application. This chapter examines research impact, dissemination, and knowledge translation (KT) as interconnected processes essential for maximising the relevance and equity of OT research. It conceptualises research impact as multi-dimensional—spanning academic, clinical, policy, community, and capacity-building domains—and highlights why OT impacts are often under-recognised when evaluation focuses narrowly on biomedical outcomes. Drawing on implementation science, the chapter discusses core KT frameworks (Knowledge-to-Action, CFIR, i-PARIHS, and RE-AIM), practical dissemination strategies, and step-by-step guidance for designing KT plans tailored to OT contexts. Ethical and equity considerations are emphasised throughout, underscoring co-design, accessibility, and sustainability. The chapter argues that embedding structured, theory-informed KT approaches enables OT research to move beyond publication toward meaningful, lasting change in practice, systems, and lived experience.