A knowledge management model: Implications for enhancing quality in health care

Abstract

Improving health care delivery is a pressing societal goal, and information scientists have a role in effecting change. Information science research has led to understanding theories and practices of information use within the informing professions, but information science and one of its subspecialties, Knowledge Management (KM), also have the potential to influence and enhance other professional disciplines. This concept paper makes the argument that KM is a beneficial framework to help health care clinicians manage their practices and ultimately administer quality care to their patients. The central argument is predicated on the assumption that medicine is a knowledge-based profession and that finding, sharing, and developing clinicians' knowledge is necessary for effective primary health care practice. The authors make the case that in an environment of a burgeoning body of health care research and the adoption of technology tools, physicians can benefit from understanding effective KM practice. The model as presented here borrows from recent information science scholarship in KM and is intended to inform intervention protocols for effective KM to improve quality of care.

The Patient Centered Medical Home: Mental Models and Practice Culture Driving the Transformation Process

“…9 A better understanding and support of successful models of practice-based dissemination and uptake of information and knowledge are important, but it appears that the transformation process may also depend on addressing issues surrounding role change perceived as threatening to physician autonomy in a traditionally clinician-centric profession. 29 In summary, this study identifies key factors shaping the dissemination of the PCMH model central to the success and sustainability of primary care health services reform. Role identification is a key component of creating the medical home culture.…”

Gestão do Conhecimento, Ciência da Informação e Biblioteconomia: uma análise bibliométrica da produção científica

“…Trazendo o argumento de que a Gestão do Conhecimento é um produto benéfico para ajudar os médicos a gerenciar suas práticas e, finalmente, administrar cuidados de qualidade aos seus pacientes (ORZANO et al, 2008).…”

International Disability Educational Alliance (IDEAnet)

“…64 Bouty (2000), as per McFadyen et al 65 The importance of "openness to new ideas and perspectives" within a KM network is noted in Orzano, John A.;McInerney, Claire R.;Scharf, Davida;Tallia, Alfred F.;and Crabtree, Benjamin F. (2008 Based on beta test results, in April 2008 the website was redesigned to be m ore user friendly and aesthetically appealing. As a way to further increase usability, users of the iConsult teleconsultation program were required to acknowledge and agree to being part of an on-going "beta" test (Pilot) which stated:…”

“…The second was an external test involving actua l physicians (based in the U.S. and Bosnia) acting as Requestors and Volunteers in a controlled teleconsultation environment. These studies resulted in positiv e feedback that did not call for major changes to the sys tem, but identified follow-up items.64 Bouty (2000), as per McFadyen et al 65 The importance of "openness to new ideas and perspectives" within a KM network is noted in Orzano, John A.; McInerney, Claire R.; Scharf, Davida;Tallia, Alfred F.;and Crabtree, Benjamin F. (2008 At this time the system was fully operational, and responses received from the progra m users regarding changes were continually tracked in order to guide further improvements.The iCons in Medicine network and programs were available worldwide and membership included healthcare professionals f rom a variety of geographical regions. However, participation was lim ited to individuals wi th some level of fl uency in English.…”

“…64 Bouty (2000), as per McFadyen et al 65 The importance of "openness to new ideas and perspectives" within a KM network is noted in Orzano, John A.; McInerney, Claire R.; Scharf, Davida;Tallia, Alfred F.;and Crabtree, Benjamin F. (2008 At this time the system was fully operational, and responses received from the progra m users regarding changes were continually tracked in order to guide further improvements.…”