Submission ID 132009
| Issue/Objective | Knowledge mobilization involves translating, sharing, and applying research and experiential knowledge to improve healthcare practice, policy, and patient outcomes. Civil society organizations (CSOs) play an essential role in supporting children with cancer and their families, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where healthcare resources are limited. Canada is home to one of the largest Indian diaspora populations, yet Indo-Canadian families may encounter barriers to accessing culturally and linguistically appropriate childhood cancer resources. This study aimed to characterize knowledge mobilization strategies used by childhood cancer CSOs in India and explore how these approaches could inform culturally responsive care and family support within Canada. |
|---|---|
| Methodology/Approach | An environmental scan identified childhood cancer CSOs through the Indian Childhood Cancer Initiative (ICCI) Access Support Database. Organizations were screened for eligibility: exclusive service to the pediatric oncology community and official NPO DARPAN Portal of India registration. A standardized extraction tool captured geographic location and knowledge dissemination strategies, including social media, blogs, newsletters, videos, and clinical practice guidelines. Findings were validated through consultations with ICCI, CSO representatives, and persons with lived experience, and subsequently analyzed for adaptation to the Canadian context. |
| Results | Of 105 Indian CSOs screened, 17 met the eligibility criteria. Knowledge mobilization relied primarily on accessible digital platforms, including Facebook (100%), Instagram and YouTube (82% each), and blogs, newsletters, and videos (88%). Formal evidence translation resources, such as clinical practice guidelines, were the least utilized (12%). These findings demonstrate that community-driven, digital communication is the predominant approach for engaging childhood cancer patients and families in India and offers scalable models for culturally tailored outreach. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | This study illustrates how knowledge generated in one healthcare context can inform more equitable care in another. Community-based knowledge mobilization strategies developed by Indian childhood cancer CSOs offer practical models for strengthening culturally responsive patient education and support within Canada's multicultural healthcare system. By leveraging trusted communication channels and culturally grounded partnerships, these findings can help to improve access to meaningful, family-centred childhood cancer resources. This work was conducted alongside national and global environmental scans by the Knowledge Mobilization Group of the Canadian research network Advancing Childhood Cancer Experience, Science and Survivorship (ACCESS). |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Janeva Shahi School of Medicine, McGill University Chandan Kumar Indian Childhood Cancer Initiative Ritu Bhalla Indian Childhood Cancer Initiative Ramandeep Arora Paediatric Oncology, Max Super Speciality Hospital Argerie Tsimicalis Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University |
