Bridging the 'Know-do gap': a role for health information professionals?

Area of Science:

• Health Sciences
• Information Science
• Knowledge Management

Background:

• Evidence-based medicine (EBM) and its derivatives have driven advancements in healthcare.
• Knowledge translation and transfer are evolving fields crucial for implementing research findings.
• The knowledge broker role is emerging as a key component in bridging research and practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the development of knowledge translation, knowledge transfer, and the knowledge broker role.
• To assess the extent to which health information professionals fulfill the requirements of a knowledge broker.
• To identify strengths and weaknesses of health information professionals within the knowledge transfer process.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the five components of the knowledge transfer process: problem identification, knowledge development/selection, context analysis, intervention, and utilization.
• Evaluation of health information professionals against the specified criteria for a knowledge broker role.
• Assessment of current professional competencies, including political astuteness and knowledge of behavioral change models.

Main Results:

• Health information professionals' strengths and weaknesses were identified across the knowledge transfer process.
• Deficiencies were noted in political astuteness, awareness, and understanding of significant behavioral change models.
• The current capacity of health information professionals to fully embody the knowledge broker role requires further development.

Conclusions:

• The knowledge broker role represents a significant evolution from evidence-based medicine.
• Addressing identified deficiencies is crucial for health information professionals to effectively function as knowledge brokers.
• Knowledge team approaches, integrating diverse expertise across the entire knowledge process, hold significant potential for enhanced impact.