The Knowledge to Action (KTA) Processes in Seniors Health Knowledge Network (SHKN)/Alzheimer Knowledge Exchange (AKE) Collaborative Communities of Practice (CoP) research project led by Drs. Jamie Conklin (Lead PI, Concordia University/Bruyère Research Institute), Anita Kothari (PI, University of Western Ontario) and Paul Stolee (PI, University of Waterloo)  and co-investigators at  Queen’s University and the University of Alberta, as well as collaborators and participants from numerous health organizations and programs throughout Ontario. The project is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Across Canada, health planners are preparing for a significantly higher population of seniors.  Although more seniors are remaining healthier, towards the end of life many seniors experience a variety of disabilities and chronic diseases. This project aims to increase our understanding of the KTA processes mobilized through communities of practice (CoPs) that are working to improve the health of Ontario seniors. KTA refers to the movement of research and experience-based knowledge between social contexts, and the use of that knowledge to improve practice. We will examine the processes themselves, and the role of human agents within those processes.