Knowledge brokering: an organizational strategy to support evidence-informed public health

Session: 

Oral session: Knowledge translation and communicating evidence (7)

Date: 

Tuesday 18 September 2018 - 14:20 to 14:40

Location: 

Ochil 2

All authors in correct order:

Dobbins M1, Clark E2, Ciliska D1
1 National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools/McMaster University, Canada
2 National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools, Canada
Presenting author and contact person

Presenting author:

Maureen Dobbins

Contact person:

Maureen Dobbins
Emily Clark
Abstract text
Background: Public health professionals are expected to consider the best available evidence when making practice decisions. Knowledge brokering has emerged as a promising knowledge translation strategy. Knowledge brokers (KBs) work to facilitate and support evidence-informed decision making (EIDM).

Objectives: The National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools (NCCMT) has developed a comprehensive KB Mentoring Program that builds capacity in the workforce while supporting organizational change to support evidence use.

Methods: An organizational assessment with senior management at each participating health unit assesses the organizational culture for EIDM and identifies targets for change to support EIDM. Then five to six staff from each unit participate in a 16-month curriculum. The program includes workshops, monthly webinars, and monthly phone and email support with a senior knowledge translation expert. Finally, a practice-based issue is identified by each unit and participants conduct a rapid evidence review. Changes in performance on an EIDM Assessment are analyzed using a paired t-test.

Results: A first cohort of five health units has completed the program and a second cohort of five health units is in the final stages. Strategies to improve the support and use of EIDM at the organizational level at each health unit were implemented. KB participants were integral in facilitating change at their organizations. A statistically significant increase in scores on an EIDM knowledge and skill questionnaire of 16.9% was observed in the first cohort (P < 0.017). Many participating health units have pursued additional staff training and workshops to enhance their organizational capacity for EIDM further.

Conclusions: Successful implementation of EIDM at public health organizations requires a comprehensive strategy that involves staff at all levels of the organization. Mentoring of KBs builds capacity for evidence use and facilitating change. The knowledge broker mentoring program is an effective strategy to support and develop EIDM at public health organizations.

Patient or healthcare consumer involvement: Participants in the KB Mentoring Program are front-line public health staff and managers. The program builds their capacity to use research evidence in their practice. Participants have often been the drivers of change for EIDM.

Relevance to patients and consumers: 

Using research evidence to inform public health is a growing priority in Canada, however, front line public health staff often lack the necessary skills to use research evidence in their own practice and programs. The NCCMT has developed a 16-month mentoring program for public health staff to train as Knowledge Brokers. Knowledge Brokers (KBs) work to promote and support the use of evidence and act as liaisons for knowledge sharing within their organizations. The KB training program has been successful in training KBs at ten different health units to use evidence themselves and enhance evidence use at their home health units.