‘MaxSBF’ (Maximising Support for BreastFeeding in Ireland) is a complex Integrated Knowledge Translation (IKT) study that seeks to support breastfeeding in Ireland. Using an Integrated Knowledge Translation approach ensures that knowledge is effectively shared across all health and community settings, benefiting the broader population. The project is a collaborative effort involving a diverse team of up to 30 members from various academic, research, community, and healthcare backgrounds. Studies show that supporting project teams to develop their collective Knowledge Translation capacity improves their planning, goal-setting, and problem-solving abilities to the benefit of project outcomes.
Early in the project, we propose to use knowledge brokering, that is, connecting the information needed with the people who need it, to build the skills and capacity for knowledge translation within the team. This approach will help sustain the project through its completion and integration into everyday practice and will include a knowledge translation support programme and knowledge sharing activities. The activities will be geared towards building strong communication channels to share information readily understood at all levels within the team. We will also focus on enhancing relationship focused behavior’s so that people can work more effectively together. Moreover, we will concentrate on how to facilitate wider external networks with people who can work to influence change and thus achieve the overall programme goals.
The success of our efforts will be measured by: (1) how well we can apply shared knowledge sustainably, (2) understand each team member’s contributions, and (3) leverage opportunities for effective collaboration within and outside the project. If successful, this award will greatly enhance our ability to effectively connect research findings with practical applications, build team capacity in knowledge translation, and ensure that our efforts have a lasting impact on breastfeeding support in Ireland and beyond.