Bridging aging and disability networks: Strategies for translating knowledge into practice

Abstract

Bridging Aging and Disability Networks: "Strategies for Translating Knowledge into Practice" The new science of bridging: What are the 'building blocks' and how do they fit in? Luis Salvador-Carulla, MD, PhD Care and support for persons with disabilities face many challenges similar to those faced by old people, and the care models, the assessment procedures or the interventions developed for one population group may be provide useful experiences for another. Furthermore, a large amount of persons with disabilities enter old age while similar numbers of older people become disabled. Links do exists between both groups and experiences may be shared in a broad range of topics, from concepts and values to the assessment and meeting of needs, or the development of tools for informed policy in both areas. However the knowledge transfer between both fields has been very limited to date. In 2009 the 1st International Conference in Bridging and Knowledge transfer between Disabilities and Ageing was held in Barcelona under the patronage of the European Executive Agency of Health and Consumers (EAHC). In order to prepare the conference content, its official declaration and the related publications, an international committee including main umbrella organisations in the fields of ageing and disabilities in Europe prepared a list of key topics. This list was completed with the suggestions made by participants in the conference following a bottom-up process. Topics included the integrative care approach including person-centered care, ontology and semantic interoperability, the profile and role of 'care bridgers' (e.g. knowledge brokers, champions, intra-interpreneurs), bridging procedures (new organisation-relational strategies), related research methods (Impact analysis, Knowledge Discovery from Data), informed evidence policy and governance, and ethics. A relevant part of this knowledge has been developed outside the social and health fields and may not fit into the current scientific framework. To effectively transfer knowledge care a meta-network and a meta-science of bridging are needed.