Linkage and exchange interventions

Translating health research findings into action requires a complex system of linkage and exchange between those who create knowledge and those who must ultimately use or act upon it. This process can include researchers and service providers, services managers and others; or a mix of any or all stakeholders. The ultimate goals are effective and efficient programs, services, products, or procedures that meet the health needs of those they intend to benefit, the practice goals and needs of those who must administer them, or the programming goals of public policy makers. The contemporary effort by research funding agencies to support knowledge translation (KT) and integrated KT through targeted funding initiatives should as well be seen as an intervention with the goal of enhancing linkage and exchange.