Canadian Dementia Knowledge Translation Network

Start/End Dates: 2008 - 2013

Investigators: Kenneth Rockwood (PI), Howard Chertkow, Howard Feldman, Janice Keefe, Ken LeClair (Carole A. Estabrooks- Senior Network Leader).

Funders: CIHR (Institute of Aging) Research to Action Program in Dementia (RAPID)

Grant Amount: $4 million

There are three key theme areas (activities) that form the network:

  1. Education and Training in Knowledge Translation (Lead: Dr. Howard Feldman, Professor and Head of the Division of Neurology at the University of British Columbia). The goal is to teach young researchers how to do Knowledge Translation, so that future research will have this feature built in.

  2. Canadian Dementia Resource and Knowledge Exchange (Lead: Dr. Kenneth J. LeClair, Professor and Chair of the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry at Queen's University).

  3. Patient/Caregiver Centered Knowledge Translation (Lead: Dr. Kenneth Rockwood, Professor of Medicine (Geriatric Medicine & Neurology) and Kathryn Allen Weldon Professor of Alzheimer Research, Dalhousie University.

These theme areas will work in an integrated way to develop:

  • curricula and training programs in KT&E;
  • training opportunities for researchers that will cross themes, disciplines, and levels of expertise;
  • a national knowledge exchange network;
  • KT&E conferences and workshops;
  • research partnerships between industry, academic researchers, clinicians, caregivers, and persons with dementia;
  • pilot research projects related to dementia-related KT&E;
  • research priorities based on the needs of caregivers and persons with dementia;
  • new patient-centered models and approaches for KT&E; and
  • a database of the experience of dementia from the perspective of those with dementia.

These activities will result in:

  • Increased and enhanced KT&E so that effective dementia treatments, services, and products can be developed and put into practice;
  • More experts trained in knowledge translation and exchange;
  • A research culture shift in which KT&E are essential components of research activities;
  • Enhanced dissemination of research findings via novel means (technology-based, arts-based);
  • Enhanced knowledge and skills (best practices) of caregivers;
  • Development of clinically relevant and patient-centred research;
  • Increased patient and caregiver access to information, resources, and tools; and
  • Strengthened links between industry, researchers, clinicians, caregivers, and persons with dementia.

Purpose: Ultimately, this initiative will:

  1. Increase patient and caregiver access to information about dementia, and,

  2. Increase the uptake and application of research findings to dementia care.

By doing this, we can improve the quality of life and care for people with dementia and their caregivers.