en Health Health Original Research Original Research <p> <strong> Background </strong>:Although knowledge translation is one of the most widely used concepts in health and medical literature, there is a sense of ambiguity and confusion over its definition. The aim of this paper is to clarify the characteristics of KT. This will assist the theoretical development of it and shape its implementation into the health care system </p><p> <strong> Methods </strong>: Walker and Avant’s framework was used to analyze the concept and the related literature published between 2000 and 2010 was reviewed. A total of 112 papers were analyzed. </p><p> <strong> Results </strong>: Review of the literature showed that "KT is a process" and "implementing refined knowledge into a participatory context through a set of challenging activities" are the characteristics of KT. Moreover, to occur successfully, KT needs some necessary antecedents like an integrated source of knowledge, a receptive context, and preparedness. The main consequence of successful process is a change in four fields of healthcare, i.e. quality of patient care, professional practice, health system, and community. In addition, this study revealed some empirical referents which are helpful to evaluate the process. </p><p> <strong> Conclusion </strong>: By aiming to portray a clear picture of KT, we highlighted its attributes, antecedents, consequences and empirical referents. Identifying the characteristics of this concept may resolve the existing ambiguities in its definition and boundaries thereby facilitate distinction from similar concepts. In addition, these findings can be used as a knowledge infrastructure for developing the KT-related models, theories, or tools. </p> Knowledge translation, Concept analysis, Walker and Avant, Healthcare system. 626 640 http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1-729&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Homeira khoddam khoddam@goums.ac.ir 200319475328460014760 200319475328460014760 No Nursing and Midwifery School of Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, & Faculty member of Nursing and Midwifery school, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran. Neda Mehrdad nmehrdad@tums.ac.ir 200319475328460014761 200319475328460014761 Yes Knowledge Utilization Research Center (KURC) &Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Hamid Peyrovi h-peyrovi@yahoo.com 200319475328460014762 200319475328460014762 No Nursing and Midwifery School, Iran University of Medical Sciences & Centre for Nursing Care Research, Nursing and Midwifery School of Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Alison L Kitson alison.kitson@adelaide.edu.au 200319475328460014763 200319475328460014763 No School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, the University of Adelaide &Centres for Evidence Based Practice South Australia, School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, the University of Adelaide, Green Templeton Colleges, University of Oxford, UK. Timothy J Schultz 200319475328460014764 200319475328460014764 No Faculty of Health Sciences, the University of Adelaide & Technical Director at Australian Patient Safety Foundation, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia. Asa Muntlin Athlin asa.muntlin@pubcare.uu.se 200319475328460014765 200319475328460014765 No Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden & Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.