The Knowledge Translation Challenge is a collaborative initiative supporting clinicians in applying research evidence to improve health care delivery across B.C.
Last updated: May 15, 2026.
About the Knowledge Translation Challenge
Knowledge Translation (KT) is the art and science of moving evidence into health care policy and practice. The KT Challenge is designed to support teams of clinicians who want to learn how to use evidence to make practice changes and improve health care in real life.
The KT Challenge will:
- Support staff who do not have knowledge translation experience.
- Help teams design knowledge translation projects.
- Provide access to knowledge translation resources, training, mentorship and potential funding.
Accepted teams will receive training to learn the basics of KT and the chance to receive funding (up to $5,000) to support a KT initiative.
The intake for Letters of Intent for the KT Challenge 2026 is now closed. Please check back in September 2026 for updates on future opportunities to join the KT Challenge.
Eligibility
The KT Challenge is designed to support teams of Fraser Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, BC Cancer, Northern Health and Providence Health Care clinicians who may not have much knowledge translation expertise but are responsible for moving evidence into practice. There must be a minimum of two people per team. Teams can be inter-professional. All team leaders must be consistently working 0.5 FTE or greater at their organization (full-time, part-time or casual).
KT Challenge Timeline (for currently participating 2026 teams)
Teams who received notification in Fall 2025 that their Letter of Intent and project were accepted into the 2026 KT Challenge are required to complete all the required activities (see KT Challenge Roadmap), including attending three virtual workshops and submitting a full application.
In order to be considered for funding, teams must submit their application by Friday, April 10, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
More information on the full application process, including a copy of the application form and guidelines, can be found in the KT Challenge Learning Hub online course.
If you have any questions about the KT Challenge, please contact Titilola Yakubu at titilola.yakubu@fraserhealth.ca.
Resources
Fraser Health is pleased to partner with BC Cancer, Northern Health, Providence Health Care and Vancouver Coastal Health on the KT Challenge program.
2025 Projects
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AI-generated handout for common Intensive Care Unit conditions and treatments
Team lead: Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed, site medical director, Burnaby Hospital and ICU physician, Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre, Burnaby Hospital and Surrey Memorial Hospital.
Team members: Fiona Howarth, clinical nurse specialist, Critical Care Network.
Funders: Michael Smith Health Research BC, Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation.
Project description: Led by Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed and a critical care team across Fraser Health, this project focuses on supporting families of patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Families of critically ill patients often experience stress and uncertainty, especially when faced with complex medical information. This project aims to complement clinical conversations by providing clear, accessible written resources.
The team will develop AI-generated handouts that explain common ICU conditions, treatments and procedures in plain language. These resources will be shared with families to support understanding, reduce anxiety and help them feel more informed and engaged in care.
The initiative will be implemented across multiple ICUs in Fraser Health, with feedback from families and staff guiding ongoing improvements. This work aims to enhance communication, support patient- and family-centered care, and improve the overall ICU experience.
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Development and implementation of a decision tool to help pharmacists decide whether medical cannabis or cannabinoids can be safely and effectively prescribed for patients with chronic pain
Team lead: Anita Ho, clinical pharmacist, Surrey North Delta Primary Care Network.
Team members: Audrey Hempel, clinical pharmacist, Vancouver Primary Care Network; Charlotte Bohmert, clinical pharmacist, Vancouver Primary Care Network; Daniel Liu, clinical pharmacist, Fraser Northwest Primary Care Network; Wendy Tacubachavelas, clinical pharmacist, White Rock South Surrey Primary Care Network.
Funders: Peace Arch Hospital Foundation.
Project description: Led by Clinical Pharmacist Anita Ho and a team of pharmacists across Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health, this project aims to support safe, evidence-informed use of medical cannabis in chronic pain care.
Cannabis may play a role in managing certain medical conditions, including chronic pain, but health care providers often need practical tools to support conversations with the people we serve.
This project will develop a decision support tool to help pharmacists assess potential benefits and risks, support shared decision-making and guide consistent patient care. The tool will be piloted in Primary Care Networks and expanded across participating regions.
By improving access to clear, evidence-informed guidance, this initiative aims to support safer care, enhance patient-provider discussions and strengthen consistency in practice.
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Development of a decision support tool: Standardization of Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEEVS) procedure in Fraser Health and accompanying education
Team lead: Devon McConnachie, regional SLP educator, Learning Strategies and Professional Practice.
Team members: Geoff Fullerton, interim SLP clinical practice leader, Peace Arch hospital and Delta Hospital; Stephanie Patterson, clinical supervisor, Speech Language Pathology, Surrey Memorial Hospital.
Funders: Peace Arch Hospital Foundation.
Project description: Led by Devon McConnachie, regional speech-language pathologist educator, this project focuses on improving how swallowing assessments are conducted across Fraser Health.
Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEEVS) is an important tool used to assess swallowing and guide treatment. This project aims to enhance consistency in how FEEVS is performed, documented and interpreted across different sites.
The team will develop a standardized approach, including clear procedures, documentation tools and training resources. The project will begin at Surrey Memorial and Peace Arch Hospitals, with plans to expand across the region.
By supporting more consistent practices, this initiative will help teams deliver high-quality care, improve communication across providers and support better patient outcomes.
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Enhancing the use of Subjective Global Assessment and Handgrip Strength among dietitians working with adults with chronic kidney disease
Team lead: Laila Akbar, registered dietitian, Hemodialysis, Abbotsford Regional Hospital.
Team members: Shelly Messenger, registered dietitian and dietitian practice lead; Nicole Huang, registered dietitian, Hemodialysis; Rebekah Sandhu, registered dietitian and research dietitian/educator.
Funders: Michael Smith Health Research BC, Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation.
Project description: Led by Registered Dietitians Laila Akbar and Shelly Messenger and a team of renal dietitians across Fraser Health, this project focuses on improving nutrition care for people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Supporting good nutrition and muscle strength is an important part of maintaining health and quality of life for people with CKD. Two evidence-based tools, Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and Handgrip Strength (HGS), can help dietitians assess these needs, but they are not consistently used in practice.
This project will identify barriers to using these tools and provide training, mentorship and practical supports to help integrate them into routine care across Fraser Health kidney programs.
By improving consistency in nutrition assessment, this initiative aims to enhance patient care, support better health outcomes and strengthen the use of evidence in everyday clinical practice.
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The fortification: Enhancing education at discharge (FEED)
Team lead: Erin Starman, registered dietitian, Pediatrics.
Team members: Kaila Jabs, registered dietitian, NICU; Sara de Roy, registered dietitian, pediatric and NICU registered dietitian supervisor; Rebekah Sandhu, registered dietitian, project mentor, Research.
Funders: Michael Smith Health Research BC and Surrey Hospitals Foundation.
Project description: Led by Registered Dietitian Erin Starman and a team of pediatric dietitians at Surrey Memorial Hospital, this project focuses on enhancing feeding education for families of infants with complex nutritional needs.
Some infants require fortified feeds, additional nutrients added to human milk or formula, to support healthy growth and development. Caregivers currently receive education through verbal instruction and written materials. This project aims to enhance these approaches to better reflect the diverse needs and learning preferences of families.
The team will introduce hands-on teaching tools and accessible, multilingual educational resources to support learning both in hospital and at home. These tools are designed to help caregivers feel more confident in preparing feeds safely.
By improving accessibility and consistency in education, this initiative aims to support families, promote healthy infant growth and enhance the overall care experience.
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Less painful pelvic exams
Team lead: Jessica Adaszynski, physiotherapist.
Team members: Amanda Lewis, registered nurse; Melanie Chow, patient partner; Joty Grewal, patient partner; Laurie Chiesa, manager, Chronic Pain Clinic.
Funders: Michael Smith Health Research BC and Surrey Hospitals Foundation.
Project description: Led by Physiotherapist Jessica Adaszynski and a team including clinicians and patient partners, this project focuses on improving patient comfort during pelvic exams.
Pelvic exams are an important part of care, but some individuals experience discomfort or anxiety during these procedures. This project aims to support more comfortable and patient-centered experiences.
The team will provide training for health care providers on techniques to reduce discomfort and improve communication during exams. Patients will also receive information about options to support their comfort and involvement in care. The project will begin in a Fraser Health birthing unit, where many individuals have their first pelvic exam.
By supporting both providers and patients, this initiative aims to improve care experiences, build trust and promote more inclusive, patient-centered care across Fraser Health.
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Reducing unnecessary ER transfers implementing the Quick Alert Tool in long-term care
Team lead: Mohinder Mann, quality partner, Long-term Care and Assisted Living.
Team members: Candace Larson, manager, Integrated Long-term Care and Assisted Living, Quality, Research and Initiatives.
Funders: Michael Smith Health Research BC and Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation.
Project description: Led by Mohinder Mann and a team of Quality Partners, this project focuses on strengthening care for residents in long-term care settings across Fraser Health.
The project supports care teams in recognizing and responding to early changes in residents’ health, helping to provide timely care within long-term care homes when appropriate.
To do this, the team will introduce a Quick Alert Tool, a simple, practical guide to support staff in identifying early signs of health changes. Training and ongoing support will help integrate the tool into daily care.
This initiative aims to improve resident comfort, support families and strengthen care within long-term care settings, while also helping reduce unnecessary disruptions and supporting the broader health system.
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Using P0.1 to predict extubation success
Team lead: Jaimie Trodden, clinical resource therapist, Respiratory Therapy.
Team members: Jessica Lu, regional educator, Respiratory Therapy, Learning Strategies and Innovations; Scott Mattu, clinical resource therapist, Respiratory Therapy; Sung Bin Choi, core ICU therapist and respiratory therapist.
Funders: Michael Smith Health Research BC and Surrey Hospitals Foundation.
Project description: Led by Respiratory Therapist Jaimie Trodden and a team of ICU clinicians at Surrey Memorial Hospital, this project focuses on supporting safe and timely transitions from mechanical ventilation.
Determining the right time to remove a patient from a ventilator is a complex clinical decision that relies on careful assessment and teamwork. This project introduces an additional tool, P0.1, a simple ventilator measurement, to support clinical decision-making.
The team will integrate this measurement into routine practice through staff education, practical tools and peer support. The project will be implemented in the adult ICU at Surrey Memorial Hospital, with potential for broader adoption.
By supporting more consistent and evidence-informed decision-making, this initiative aims to enhance patient safety, improve outcomes and strengthen clinical practice in critical care settings.