After a few years of tirelessly working towards their research program and knowledge translation (KT) activities, our PSI KT Fellows reach the finish line of their fellowship. As they cross the end point towards their award, we asked our fellows for reflections on their journey to share their highlights from the fellowship and advice for other aspiring or current KT Fellows.
What are the key accomplishments and outcomes from your award?
With the support of the PSI Graham Farquharson KT Fellowship, I was able to assemble a multidisciplinary team of key stakeholders to develop the first Canadian best practice recommendations for diagnosis and management of three types of skin and soft tissue infections: cellulitis, skin abscess, and necrotizing fasciitis. These best practice recommendations are endorsed by the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians. I also gained valuable experience through direct mentorship with experienced KT scientists for the duration of the Fellowship.
What are some lessons learned during the PSI KT Fellowship?
An important lesson I learned was the importance of working with all relevant stakeholders, who all bring important and varied expertise to the projects. The most important thing was to obtain mentorship from experienced KT scientists to ensure that the projects stayed on track for success.
What was the most memorable moment of this KT Fellowship?
The most memorable moment was obtaining full endorsement of the best practices checklists we had developed from the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians, which is the largest professional body for emergency physicians in Canada.
What are some general tips and advice you would give to those who are currently completing their KT Fellowship?
I would strongly recommend thinking carefully about the components of the team you will need to ensure success. This should include key stakeholders and experienced KT scientists. Working with patient partners with lived experience was a hugely valuable experience and can lead to much more robust patient-centred evidence generation.
