Investigation and Assessment of Effectiveness of Knowledge Brokering on Web 2.0 in Health Sector in Quebec, Canada (original) (raw)
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—Background: Knowledge brokering is an emerging best practice strategy in knowledge translation and exchange in the health sector. Knowledge brokering is defined as being an activity undertaken by intermediaries (individuals, organizations, networks, etc.) acting as " connectors " to link producers and end users of new knowledge. Despite the increase in research dealing with the importance of knowledge brokering in the health sector, little is still known about the profiles and practical practices of knowledge brokers. This article provides an empirical portrait of knowledge brokering in the Web 2.0 era. It goes beyond the rhetoric and the opposing anecdotal evidence to respond to two questions: i) What is the profile of knowledge brokers? and ii) How does knowledge brokering work in the health sector in Quebec, Canada? Methods: The data used come from a survey carried out in 2011 among a representative sample of knowledge brokers using Web 2.0 technologies in Canada. The theory of knowledge absorptive capacity is used as the analytical reference to describe the " black box " of the knowledge brokering process. Results: The authors of this article provide a detailed profile of knowledge-brokering activities (stages, behavior, support, etc.), brokers' individual attributes (age, gender, experience, training, preferences, etc.), as well as exchanged-knowledge specific attributes. Conclusion: This study shows the complexity and diversity of the knowledge brokers' tasks and emphasizes the importance of the training and support required to develop brokers' competencies and the collaborations required by the digital media coverage of knowledge as well as by the mobilization of evidence for decision making and public health policies.
More than a Broker: A Case Study of Knowledge Mobilization in a Digital Era
International Association for Development of the Information Society, 2015
This research described here examines the role of e-health and medical informatics through the lens of one e-health knowledge broker in Canada. Eating disorders are an important issue in Canadian health and it is difficult to find accurate information online. Theoretical models examined include those which describe the roles of health knowledge brokers, including those who advocate for critical social change. A case study is presented of one Canadian agency which brokers knowledge about eating disorders. This agency has a highly complex role which employs multiple technologies: telephone help lines, a website, and webinars. The help lines and email supports are designed to respond to questions about eating disorders and to refer individuals to service providers. When compared to the oft-cited role of the knowledge broker to disseminate research information, the key roles of this agency move beyond this, providing reliable and consistent information; brokering spaces for capacity-bui...
Role Domains of Knowledge Brokering: A Model for the Health Care Setting
Journal of neurologic physical therapy : JNPT, 2016
Knowledge brokering is a strategy to support collaborations and partnerships within and across clinical, research, and policy worlds to improve the generation and use of research knowledge. Knowledge brokers function in multiple roles to facilitate the use of evidence by leveraging the power of these partnerships. The application of theory can provide clarity in understanding the processes, influences, expected mechanisms of action, and desired outcomes of knowledge brokering. Viewing knowledge brokering from the perspective of its role domains can provide a means of organizing these elements to advance our understanding of knowledge brokering. The objectives of this special interest article are (1) to describe the context for knowledge brokering in health care, (2) to provide an overview of knowledge translation theories applied to knowledge brokering, and (3) to propose a model outlining the role domains assumed in knowledge brokering. The Role Model for Knowledge Brokering is com...
Transferring, translating and transforming knowledge: the role of brokering in healthcare networks
Journal of Health Organization and Management, 2021
PurposeThis research examines how knowledge and information are managed within two care networks. We develop a conceptual framework drawing on the notion of brokering and the 3T framework, which is used to describe the relative complexity of boundaries (referred to in the framework as syntactic, semantic and pragmatic) as well as capabilities and processes required to exchange information within the network. Previous research on brokering has focused on healthcare managers and professionals, but this research extends to patients and caregivers. Understanding knowledge exchange and brokering practices in healthcare is critical to the delivery of effective services.Design/methodology/approachFor this case research, non-participant observation and experienced-based interviews were undertaken with healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers within two care networks.FindingsThe findings reveal brokering roles occupied by healthcare professionals, patients and caregivers support the...
Supporting Absorptive Capacity for Knowledge Brokers: Evidence of Canadian Health Organizations
International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management, 2013
The importance of using healthcare evidence by policy-makers is widely recognized [Lavis (2006), Ward et al. (2009)]. For over a decade, several strategies to improve the use of knowledge by policy-makers have been promoted [Landry et al. (2006); Amara et al. (2004)]. Among them, the use of individuals called "intermediaries" or "knowledge brokers" is presented as a potential strategy [Hargadon (2002); Lomas (2007)]. Situated at the organizational interface, these actors benefit from a strategic position allowing easier access to external knowledge [Cohen and Levinthal (1990)]. Therefore, they must develop good skills to be able to properly enjoy all opportunities to create value for their organization. In fact, many authors consider brokers as true knowledge integrators that assess, interpret, synthesize, exploit and transfer pertinent knowledge. Despite the presence of several studies that stress the importance of the multifaceted role of brokers, few have expl...
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The paper arises from research that examined a healthcare coordination improvement initiative that was focused on increasing knowledge sharing among a network of healthcare workers involved in the care of children with complex medical needs. Part of this initiative involved a summary medical note (the SPOC) that was paper-based and carried by parents between the specialists involved in their child's care. The SPOC's effectiveness is discussed through a knowledge as practice perspective, which focuses on the role of mediators (both material and human). Our analysis demonstrates that the SPOC's effectiveness can be understood by looking at the combined roles of boundary objects and human brokers. We identify two distinct broker roles: creation brokers and use brokers. In discussing our case, we extend our analysis to suggest how these broker roles may also be useful in thinking about how to improve the effectiveness of (electronic) health record systems more generally-for researchers as well as for practitioners.
Health Research Policy and Systems
Background Knowledge brokering is a knowledge translation approach that includes making connections between researchers and decision-makers to facilitate the latter’s use of evidence in health promotion and the provision of healthcare. Despite knowledge brokering being well-established in Canada, many knowledge gaps exist, including understanding what theoretical frameworks have been developed and which evaluative practices knowledge brokers (KBs) use. Methods This study used a mixed methods design to examine how KBs in Canada (1) use frameworks, models and theories in their practice and (2) how they evaluate knowledge brokering interventions. We gathered interview and survey data from KB practitioners to better understand their perspectives on effective practices. Our analysis focused on understanding the theoretical frameworks used by KBs. Results This study demonstrates that KBs in Canada tend not to rely on theories or models that are specific to knowledge brokering. Rather, stu...
Implementation Science, 2013
Background: The purpose of this paper is to describe and reflect on the role of knowledge brokers (KBs) in the Seniors Health Research Transfer Network (SHRTN). The paper reviews the relevant literature on knowledge brokering, and then describes the evolving role of knowledge brokering in this knowledge network. Methods: The description of knowledge brokering provided here is based on a developmental evaluation program and on the experiences of the authors. Data were gathered through qualitative and quantitative methods, analyzed by the evaluators, and interpreted by network members who participated in sensemaking forums. The results were fed back to the network each year in the form of formal written reports that were widely distributed to network members, as well as through presentations to the network's members. Results: The SHRTN evaluation and our experiences as evaluators and KBs suggest that a SHRTN KB facilitates processes of learning whereby people are connected with tacit or explicit knowledge sources that will help them to resolve work-related challenges. To make this happen, KBs engage in a set of relational, technical, and analytical activities that help communities of practice (CoPs) to develop and operate, facilitate exchanges among people with similar concerns and interests, and help groups and individuals to create, explore, and apply knowledge in their practice. We also suggest that the role is difficult to define, emergent, abstract, episodic, and not fully understood. Conclusions: The KB role within this knowledge network has developed and matured over time. The KB adapts to the social and technical affordances of each situation, and fashions a unique and relevant process to create relationships and promote learning and change. The ability to work with teams and to develop relevant models and feasible approaches are critical KB skills. The KB is a leader who wields influence rather than power, and who is prepared to adopt whatever roles and approaches are needed to bring about a valuable result.
Life as a knowledge broker in public health
Journal of the Canadian Health Libraries Association, 2008
Program objective -Knowledge brokers (KBs), like clinical librarians (CLs), are information professionals involved in the promotion of evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM). As with CLs, the impact of literatureevaluating KBs on the health sector is sparse, and there is limited consensus on their role. To provide guidance to information professionals and organizations regarding the KB role, this paper describes a typical "day in the life" of a KB in delivering a program to promote EIDM among Canadian public health professionals. Setting -The KB program was implemented in a randomized controlled trial evaluating knowledge transfer and exchange strategies. Participants -Public health managers at various levels within Canadian public health units or regional health authorities. Program -The KB identified decision makers' (DMs) evidence needs; facilitated access to and use of high-quality evidence; assisted in decision making; and facilitated EIDM skill development. Results -The KB role, activities and related tasks, lessons learned, and challenges are described. Conclusion -Central themes included the importance of relationship development, ongoing support, customized approaches, and individual and organizational capacity development. The novelty of the KB role in public health provided a unique opportunity to assess the need for and reaction to the role and its associated activities.
Knowledge brokers: Human agency and knowledge sharing
K & IM Refer: Journal of the Knowledge Management and Information Management Group, 2019
This is a follow-up article which offers a more theoretical reflection on the role of knowledge brokers and knowledge brokering processes. It is based on the experiences of the first author as Charnwood Connect’s Knowledge Management Officer. Definitions vary but for the purposes of this article, knowledge brokers fall into two distinct but complementary practitioner categories. The first category refers to knowledge practitioners who have an explicit or niche responsibility for knowledge brokering and sharing such as Charnwood Connect’s Knowledge Management Officer. The second category refers to practitioners such as line managers who have a more implicit or an incidental responsibility for knowledge brokering. * Charnwood Connect was a two-year project involving a partnership of advice, information and support agencies in Charnwood borough, Leicestershire. ** https://referisg.wordpress.com/2019/02/01/knowledge-brokers-human-agency-and-knowledge-sharing/