Using intervention mapping framework to develop knowledge translation program: a scoping review.

Abstract

Objective: This scoping review systematically examines the application of Intervention Mapping (IM) in knowledge translation (KT) processes, focusing on its effectiveness, completeness, advantages and challenges.

Methods: Following Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines, we conducted a scoping review of 57 studies (1998-2024) from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Chinese databases. The data extracted encompass the basic information of the studies, the objectives of the research, the part of the IM steps, as well as the main results and the methods used for evaluating.

Results: IM demonstrated broad applicability across 18 healthcare domains, with the highest prevalence in maternal and child health (12.3%), geriatrics (12.3%), and endocrine/metabolic diseases (10.5%). While 64.9% of studies implemented all six IM steps, there were differences in the specific application of the steps, with lower implementation rates observed for step 5 (85.9%) and step 6 (78.9%). IM's strengths included systematic design and stakeholder engagement, yet reliance on funding (84.2%) and regional concentration (47% from China, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom) limited global scalability.

Conclusion: IM provides a robust, theory-driven framework for KT, enhancing intervention sustainability and adaptability. However, incomplete step adoption, resource intensity, and geographic bias limit the effective application of IM across diverse settings. In future, theoretical education should be strengthened to enhance IM application completeness and standardization, while promoting KT terminology unification and IM framework localization to optimize IM's role in bridging the evidence-practice gap and advancing health.