[Knowledge brokering: definition and application based on a review of the literature]

Health promotion actions must now be evidence-based. This new approach raises a number of problems, essentially related to the poor relationships between researchers and field professionals. To deal with this issue, other countries have used a new concept called "knowledge brokering". This study had two objectives: to stabilize concepts by looking for the various definitions of "knowledge brokering", and to identify factors facilitating or limiting application of this concept.

This study was based on a literature review with analysis of "grey literature". Two different frameworks were used to analyse data: one to characterize definitions, and the other to analyze experience, focussing on factors facilitating or limiting the use of knowledge brokering.

Many definitions were found, but 3 major elements were identified to define knowledge brokering: the definition of knowledge producers and knowledge users; the relationship between the two; and the use of evidence. Three facilitators were found: creation of links and communication, the broker's qualities and the institution in which he works.

This study helped to define the concept of knowledge brokering in health promotion and paved the way for possible development of this concept in France.