The knowledge translation status in Iran University of Medical Sciences: “research question”, “knowledge production”, “knowledge transfer”, and “promoting the use of evidence”

Objective(s): knowledge translation is defined as a dynamic and iterative process that includes the synthesis, dissemination, exchange and ethically sound application of knowledge to improve health, provide more effective health services and products, and strengthen the health care system. Research contributing to policy-making in the field of knowledge translation (KT) is one of the needs of the country's health system and activities in this field should be developed. This study aimed to assess the KT status of Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) in 2018. Methods: In this cross-sectional study; nine IUMS schools and 33 research centers with a history of more than three years of establishment were selected by census method. Using the Self-Assessment Tool for Research Institutes (SATORI), the KT status among the IUMS schools and research centers was assessed. Data were entered into SPSS.18 software and described using mean and standard deviation. Results: The mean scores in the domains of “research question”, “knowledge production”, “knowledge transfer”, and “promoting the use of evidence” were 2.31, 2.83, 2.35, and 2.20 (out of five), respectively. Strategies with the lowest score was related to “knowledge transfer” and strategies with the highest score was related to “knowledge production”. Conclusion: While the university's research and knowledge production capacity was acceptable, there were significant weaknesses in the domains of “knowledge transfer” and “promoting the use of evidence” especially the interaction between researchers and research users. It is suggested that comprehensive policies be developed at the national and university levels to facilitate the interaction between researchers and knowledge users and to support the activities of knowledge translations.