[Organizational learning and health promotion: a Quebec project]

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Organizational Learning
• Knowledge Translation

Background:

• Health promotion laboratories are professional development programs in Quebec.
• These programs aim to enhance health promotion practices in local public health organizations.
• Focus is on translating program-acquired knowledge within organizations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the long-term organizational knowledge translation process from a health promotion program.
• To understand how knowledge gained by participants is integrated into the wider organization.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive study using Nonaka’s Organizational Knowledge Creation Model.
• Data collected through participant discussions and development events post-program.
• Thematic content analysis performed using a model-derived grid.

Main Results:

• Externalization and internalization observed in two study sites.
• Significant knowledge combination (re-use of ideas/methods) occurred in all four sites.
• Long-term reused learnings mirrored short-term transferred knowledge (e.g., partnership, planning).

Conclusions:

• Health promotion laboratories demonstrate potential for widespread knowledge propagation.
• Learnings extend beyond immediate participant benefits, fostering organizational change.
• The program can facilitate the development of new health promotion practices.