Cultural adaptation of knowledge translation tools for parents of children with acute illnesses

Session: 

Oral session: Knowledge translation and communicating evidence (8)

Date: 

Tuesday 18 September 2018 - 14:20 to 14:40

Location: 

Sidlaw Auditorium

All authors in correct order:

Hartling L1, Brandys D2, Zimmermann G2, Thomson D2, Scott S3
1 Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta and Cochrane Child Health, Canada
2 Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit Knowledge Translation Platform, University of Alberta, Canada
3 Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Canada
Presenting author and contact person

Presenting author:

Lisa Hartling

Contact person:

Lisa Hartling
Abstract text
Background: Knowledge translation (KT) initiatives can inform consumer decision-making. Our team has developed evidence-based KT tools for parents; the tools use innovative modes of delivery and integrate art and parent narratives to optimize their appeal. We initially developed the tools in English.

Objective: To broaden the reach of our work to different linguistic and cultural contexts, we are exploring how to adapt the tools for three non-English-speaking groups.

Methods: We selected three languages:
1) French, one of the official languages in Canada;
2) Tagalog, based on local immigration statistics for Alberta, Canada, showing this language to be the most common second language spoken in the home; and
3) an indigenous language, still to be determined via ongoing consultations with stakeholder groups.
We engaged a digital media company who provided a translation of the script for the whiteboard video. We engaged individuals within our stakeholder groups to verify the script. The company hired a narrator to produce a voice-over in the selected language, and edited the video images so that the words appeared in the language of interest. For Tagalog, the company re-drew the images to reflect ethnic differences in appearance.

Results: We have produced a whiteboard video in French, and are in the process of producing the video in Tagalog. We found it was essential to involve representatives of the groups in question at all stages of developing the materials. For example, selecting a narrator required care to ensure the voice and accent were appropriate, editing the images needed careful consideration to ensure the characters and background images resonated with the group in question. Questions arose during the process regarding whether the initial tool’s format and mode of delivery was most appropriate for each group.

Conclusions: Our translation work uncovered a number of considerations. Time and care needs to be taken to ensure that all aspects of the tools are relevant to the stakeholder group. Translation for other languages and cultures can be time consuming and costly. Efforts to examine how tools that resonate with multiple cultural groups can be developed are warranted.

Patient or consumer involvement: Parents were involved in the development of the initial KT tool. Consumers from the selected groups were involved in the translation process.

Relevance to patients and consumers: 

Our program of research aims to develop evidence-based knowledge translation tools for parents of children with acute health conditions. We involve parents throughout the work to identify priority topics, gather data on their experiences and information needs, develop prototypes, and evaluate final products for usability. We integrate evidence from systematic reviews with parents’ stories and experiences, and use innovative media (eg whiteboard animation videos) to generate resources to inform decisions regarding the care of children with common acute illnesses. This presentation will describe pilot work to translate our tools.