Health care managers' competence in knowledge management: A scoping review.

Abstract

AimTo identify current evidence on health care managers' competence in knowledge management.BackgroundAlthough successful knowledge management improves the quality of care and performance of health care organisations, there is limited evidence on health care managers' competence in knowledge managementEvaluationA scoping review was conducted by including original published and unpublished studies (qualitative, quantitative, and experimental) and review designs in English, Finnish, or Swedish. The studies were retrieved from six databases (CINAHL, ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus, Mednar, and Finnish database Medic) in November 2020 and then complemented in January 2022. Narrative synthesis was used to synthesize data.Key issuesA total of 21 articles was included in the review. The main themes of managers' competence in knowledge management presented in these were system management, professional development, and leadership behaviour and attitude. No valid and reliable instruments were described in the included studies.ConclusionAt present, there is a limited understanding of health care managers' competence in knowledge management. A comprehensive understanding of this topic can provide a direction for future research.Implications for Nursing ManagementThe results can be utilized in the assessment and development of managers' competence in knowledge management, as well as the formulation of education and in‐service training for health care managers.