Documenting the need for translational research: an example from workplace violence prevention

The leading cause of occupational death in small retail establishments-workplace violence-provides an example of how data can be used to document the need for type 2 translational research. First, strategies effective in reducing workplace violence in small retail businesses were identified. Next, the effectiveness of the researched strategies was compared with the types of strategies voluntarily implemented by small businesses. The strongest evidence-based strategies were the least likely to be implemented by businesses, and the relationship between effectiveness and implementation was nearly inverse. For example, cash control policies were found to be effective in 92% of studies, but fewer than 10% of businesses had implemented adequate cash control policies. Surveillance cameras were found to be effective in only 50% of studies, but more than 70% of businesses had implemented them. In the absence of effective translation of knowledge and practice, business owners installed the least effective strategies, often at a higher cost.