Translating Research into Practice: The Participatory Expert Panel Approach

Effective translation of research results into programmatic change continues to be the exception to the norm, in spite of increasing recognition to the importance of translational efforts and innovative approaches to the translation process. We focus attention in this article on a participatory expert panel approach that can improve translation of research into practice by engaging a wide range of stakeholders in reviewing research results and program operations. We demonstrate how we used this process to improve the translation of research concerning the Massachusetts Women’s Health Network—a state- and federally-funded program that offers screening services to low income women at risk of breast and cervical cancer who lack health insurance. Interviews with selected participants provide insight into the expert panel process and help to indicate its effectiveness. We conclude with suggestions for improving this approach to translation and offer some cautions based on the Massachusetts experience.