Knowledge Translation Meeting 2016

A meeting was held on October 10th 2016. This meeting, held in University College London (UCL), was focused on the aims, tasks and timing for the sequence of activities in the WP5 Knowledge Translation. Methods of interaction between the different tasks in WP5 and collaboration between the partners responsible of each tasks were also discussed. The event was organised by Prof. Martin Bobak, leader of the WP5, and attended by Prof. Josep Maria Haro (Coordinator of the ATHLOS – Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Spain) and researchers from different institutions involved in WP5, such as Swiss Paraplegic Research, King’s College London, University of Southampton in UK, AGE Platform Europe and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.

The Knowledge Translation exercise will address concerns about the validity or applicability of the ATHLOS’ findings as input into evidence-informed policy, identifying potential barriers to implementation. Moreover, qualitative research will be conducted, including interactions with stakeholders, for integrating the ATHLOS’ findings and recommending guidelines for healthy ageing.

Within the WP5, Microsimulation Models (MSM) will be used to analyse alternative ageing scenarios for healthy ageing. Collaboration with WP1, WP2 and WP3 will be specifically needed in this task. For previous WPs, how the changes in covariates affects changes in healthy ageing will be assessed, prior to obtaining transition probabilities. The use of macro indicators in the ATHLOS, using multilevel analysis, and the social determinants to be included in the MSM were also discussed. Moreover, qualitative research will be conducted, including interactions with stakeholders, for integrating the ATHLOS’ findings and recommending guidelines for healthy ageing.

The “Knowledge Translation” Work-Package (WP) involves activities that use the research outcomes obtained from the previous WPs to conduct a series of applications to effectively improve the health of European citizens, providing more effective health services and strengthening the health care system. Collaboration between partners and WPs in the Ageing Trajectories of Health: Longitudinal Opportunities and Synergies (ATHLOS) project will be needed for a successful result in this WP.