Table 1.

Comparison of 1- versus 2-way knowledge translation

COMPARATOR1-WAY KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION2-WAY KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION
Key roleInformation providers (contributory or interactive expertise)Information users (experiential expertise)
Information process

  • Information providers synthesize research in their electronic resources, and send it to users

  • Information users retrieve evidence or receive it by e-mail

  • Information users send constructive feedback to providers

  • Information providers integrate feedback into their electronic resource

  • Information users retrieve evidence

Information use“Best” available evidence can be used for patients“Better-than-best” evidence can be used for patients