Results of a Knowledge Brokering Intervention to Promote Evidence-Informed Public Health Decision Making

Objectives:

Evidence-informed decision making (EIDM) involves the incorporation of the best available research evidence along with other relevant sources of information for public health practice, program, and policy decisions; however gaps between this ideal and actual practice exist. This project aimed to explore whether and how a knowledge broker working collaboratively with public health decision makers facilitated evidence-informed decision making at one Ontario public health unit.

 Methods:

Following the implementation of the one-year knowledge brokering intervention, one-to-one interviews were conducted in December 2009 with program specialists, managers, health promotion officers, the divisional director, and the knowledge broker. Questions specifically sought to understand perceptions of progress made, as well as challenges, barriers, and facilitators to evidence-informed decision making. Program specialists and their direct manager assessed their division’s capacity for evidence-informed decision making using the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation self-assessment tool. Interviews and group discussion were audio-taped. Data were analyzed and those involved responded to a preliminary report. Results:

Evaluation of brokering in this context suggests that this practical, tailored approach to mentorship and skill development facilitated individual learning and team development; enabled the identification of organizational barriers and promoted intra-organizational knowledge sharing.

Conclusions:

Evaluation results will be presented along with the collaborative work and resources used and/or developed. Participants will learn of an innovative approach to promoting evidence-informed decision making at the individual and organizational levels, with strategies that may be transferable to other organizations.