Knowledge translation in gambling research: a scoping review

Abstract

Knowledge translation (KT) is the process of moving knowledge to applicable use. In any field, the role of KT is to expedite the translation of knowledge into action. Research in the gambling field has amassed such that KT is an important consideration in ensuring knowledge is translated efficiently and accurately. In response to this need, the current study provides an overview of the current state of KT in the gambling literature and offers recommendations for future direction. Knowledge to action in the gambling literature is primarily occurring in the following areas: consensus building between stakeholder groups (e.g. establishing best practices); translation of information from related disciplines (e.g. the addiction field); collaboration or co-design with end users (e.g. disordered gamblers); and the development of tools and tactics to assist gamblers. Recommendations are provided for advancing KT in the gambling field, and for the application of effective KT strategies from the area of mental health. The intention of this review is to provide researchers with specific recommendations that will enhance the relevance of their work. It is hoped that this review will serve to further advance the integration of KT in the gambling literature, and effectively move research to policy and practice.

Keywords::

• knowledge translation
• knowledge exchange
• evidence-based practice
• implementation research
• information dissemination

Conflicts of interest

Funding sources: This work was supported by the Alberta Gaming Research Institute under Grant #S38.

Competing interests: No potential conflicts of intereste were reported by the authors.

Constraints on publishing

None.1

Notes

^1. Asterisk indicates papers included in the summary review.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Terri-Lynn Mackay

Terri-Lynn MacKay is a visiting assistant research professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in co-occuring mental health and addictive disorders. She also holds an appointment in the UNLV Partnership for Research, Assessment, Counseling, Therapy and Innovative Clinical Education, where she oversees the telehealth counselling programme and supervises clinical cases. She provides research consultation to a number of government organizations and has been involved in gambling research for over a decade.

Lisa Petermann

Lisa Petermann has held progressive leadership positions in the health sector in both government and not-for-profit organizations, at provincial and national levels. Her previous posts have included a strong focus on knowledge translation including in-depth work on relationship building, stakeholder outreach and engagement, and KT infrastructure development.

Christie Hurrell

Christie Hurrell is a University of Calgary librarian with the Knowledge Resource Service at Alberta Health Service's Peter Lougheed center hospital. She has worked as a health sciences librarian and has been actively involved in knowledge translation work in public health.

David Hodgins

David Hodgins is a professor in the Program in Clinical Psychology in the Department of Psychology, University of Calgary. He is also the head of the Department of Psychology and a coordinator with the Alberta Gambling Research Institute. His research interests focus on various aspects of addictive behaviours including relapse and recovery from substance abuse and gambling disorders.