Implementing family nursing: how do we translate knowledge into clinical practice?

Health care systems worldwide are faced with the challenge of improving the quality of care, closing the knowledge-to-practice gap, and identifying the facilitators in these processes. Knowledge translation that promotes circularity between knowledge and practice is often overlooked. Knowledge transfer and translation are defined and briefly discussed in this article. Examples of knowledge translation in family nursing are provided, including knowledge creation research in pediatrics and adult pulmonary health at a University Hospital in Iceland. A second example focuses on the application of knowledge in mental health urgent care in a community health center in Calgary, Canada. Improving and speeding the circularity between knowledge translation and clinical practice reaps benefits for patients, families, health care providers, and the health care system. Conclusions about facilitating the implementation of family nursing knowledge into clinical practice are offered. The circularity between knowledge translation and practice is emphasized.