Interaction in OHS research knowledge transfer: A rapid review

Introduction Improving Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is crucial. Research knowledge provides an evidence base for OHS initiatives, but translating research into workplace practice is challenging. Knowledge transfer literature is rich in theory but limited on practical design of transfer activities. Stakeholder interaction is encouraged in the literature. This rapid review contributes for the first time a synthesis of interactive OHS knowledge transfer activities. Methods A search of Web of Science and PubMed identified 61 studies from 1365 publications. Analyses applied a five-point framework: 1) what knowledge, 2) to whom, 3) by whom, 4) how, 5) with what effect. Cross-tabulations provided additional detail (e.g., who transferred how?). Results Studies published 2003–2024 covered diverse OHS areas. Most results reported researchers using training or workshops to transfer evidence-based guidelines. Intermediaries mainly transferred syntheses of multiple studies as “key messages”. Few studies reported effects of transfer activities. Collaboration occurred in one in five activities. Conclusions The synthesis suggest that interactive training and workshops activities can be used by researchers to transfer research knowledge to workplace actors, while syntheses of evidence-based knowledge may be better transferred by intermediaries via knowledge brokering activities. Results highlight the varied use of interaction in OHS knowledge transfer, including low interactive approaches, art-based approaches, and novel technology. Practical Applications Findings can guide practitioners’ choice of transfer activities by audience, agent, and knowledge type, and inform appropriate levels of interaction. Additionally, it may help practitioners to reflect on the degree of interaction useful for transfer efforts.