Abstract
Program objective – Knowledge brokers (KBs), like clinical librarians (CLs), are information professionals involved in the promotion of evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM). As with CLs, the impact of literature-evaluating KBs on the health sector is sparse, and there is limited consensus on their role. To provide guidance to information professionals and organizations regarding the KB role, this paper describes a typical “day in the life” of a KB in delivering a program to promote EIDM among Canadian public health professionals. Setting – The KB program was implemented in a randomized controlled trial evaluating knowledge transfer and exchange strategies. Participants – Public health managers at various levels within Canadian public health units or regional health authorities. Program – The KB identified decision makers’ (DMs) evidence needs; facilitated access to and use of high-quality evidence; assisted in decision making; and facilitated EIDM skill development. Results – The KB role, activities and related tasks, lessons learned, and challenges are described. Conclusion – Central themes included the importance of relationship development, ongoing support, customized approaches, and individual and organizational capacity development. The novelty of the KB role in public health provided a unique opportunity to assess the need for and reaction to the role and its associated activities.
Highlights
Knowledge brokers (KBs) are information professionals involved in the promotion of evidence-informed decisionmaking (EIDM), about which little is written to guide those in this role
This paper describes a typical “day in the life” of a KB involved in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in which the KB was being evaluated in comparison with other, more passive knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE) strategies
Specific activities used included (i) promoting internal knowledge sharing; (ii) developing targeted resources; (iii) encouraging decision makers’ (DMs) to act as role models and including components of EIDM in performance appraisals and staff professional development plans; (iv) encouraging collaboration with public health or academic libraries to assist in the development of efficient search strategies; and (v) making links to key resources accessible
Summary
Knowledge brokers (KBs) are information professionals involved in the promotion of evidence-informed decisionmaking (EIDM), about which little is written to guide those in this role. CL activities involve assisting clinicians with access to clinical practice guidelines and guideline development, intensive literature searching, and professional development related to EIDM [19,20,21]. This paper describes a typical “day in the life” of a KB involved in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in which the KB was being evaluated in comparison with other, more passive knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE) strategies. The results of this RCT are being published elsewhere [24]. The KB aimed to identify the research evidence needs of decision makers (DMs); facilitate their access to and use of highquality research evidence; assist them in incorporating evidence into decision making; and facilitate capacity development in the EIDM process
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