What we can learn from trainees' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of developing ability for integrated knowledge translation

Due to physical barriers and the shift to virtual platforms, the application of collaborative health research methods, such as Integrated Knowledge Translation (IKT), was difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic. We faced various modifications and adaptations to our daily routines, work and research environments as IKT trainees (i.e. graduate students and postdoctoral scholars) within the Integrated Knowledge Translation Research Network (IKTRN) as a result of the quick switch to virtual platforms. The ability to interact on a local, national, and international scale has improved, but there are now gaps in how equally people may access training and cooperation possibilities at institutions and organizations. The first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic were examined in this article at the micro (individual), meso (organizational), and macro (system) levels by 16 IKTRN trainees. The micro level, or individual experiences, focuses on issues such as maintaining research activities and productivity, leisure (social engagement and taking time for oneself), and self-care (taking care of one's physical and mental well-being) while performing IKT research during the pandemic. The function of programs and organizations at the meso level investigates if and how institutions were able to adapt and carry on with research and/or collaborations during the pandemic. We examine the consequences for IKT trainees and research during and after emergency events at the macro level. The following themes were found to be prevalent at all levels: (1) fair access to partnerships and training; (2) reflexivity; (3) accepting changing opportunities; and (4) fostering collaborative relationships. These interconnected themes indicate strategies for promoting equitable and long-lasting advancements in the development and upkeep of cooperative health research methodologies. This essay is a compilation of our combined experiences with the goal of making recommendations for how businesses and academic institutions can help aspiring researchers in the future. Informing more fair and long-lasting collaborative health research methodologies and training in the post-pandemic period is our goal.