Determining research knowledge infrastructure for healthcare systems: a qualitative study

Abstract

BackgroundThis study examines research knowledge infrastructures (RKIs) found in health systems. An RKI is defined as any instrument (i.e., programs, interventions, tools) implemented in order to facilitate access, dissemination, exchange, and/or use of evidence in healthcare organisations. Based on an environmental scan (17 key informant interviews) and scoping review (26 studies), we found support for a framework that we developed that outlines components that a health system can have in its RKI. The broad domains are climate for research use, research production, activities used to link research to action, and evaluation.The objective of the current study is to profile the RKI of three types of health system organisations--regional health authorities, primary care practices, and hospitals--in two Canadian provinces to determine the current mix of components these organisations have in their RKI, their experience with these components, and their views about future RKI initiatives.MethodsThis study will include semistructured telephone interviews with a purposive sample region of a senior management team member, library/resource centre manager, and a 'knowledge broker' in three regional health authorities, five or six purposively sampled hospitals, and five or six primary care practices in Ontario and Quebec, for a maximum of 71 interviewees. The interviews will explore (a) which RKI components have proven helpful, (b) barriers and facilitators in implementing RKI components, and (c) views about next steps in further development of RKIs.DiscussionThis is the first qualitative examination of potential RKI efforts that can increase the use of research evidence in health system decision making. We anticipate being able to identify broadly applicable insights about important next steps in building effective RKIs. Some of the identified RKI components may increase the use of research evidence by decision makers, which may then lead to more informed decisions.

Mobilising knowledge to improve UK health care: learning from other countries and other sectors – a multimethod mapping study

“…Few evaluations were available. Most of these reported on perceived usefulness rather than actual use in decision-making and none assessed cost-effectiveness Ellen et al 2011 208 The reviewers were unable to identify any studies evaluating the effects of a full RKI on the use of evidence by health system managers and policy makers; however, the scoping review did uncover 25 qualitative studies and one randomised control trial that addressed different components of the RKI framework continued DOI: 10.3310/hsdr03270 HEALTH SERVICES AND DELIVERY RESEARCH 2015 VOL. 3 NO.…”

Building capacity to use and undertake research in health organisations: a survey of training needs and priorities among staff

“…Ellen et al 9 set out a framework of possible organisational level activities that might be undertaken to facilitate access, dissemination, exchange and use of evidence within health organisations. The framework builds on earlier work by Lavis et al 10 which classified approaches to communicating research to end users as push, pull or exchange efforts.…”

“…It acknowledges that the path from research creation to usage may not be logical or linear, as well as the influence that context may have on decision-making. It includes four major domains of activity: (1) establishing a climate for research use; (2) research production efforts; (3) activities used to link research to action; and (4) evaluation 9. The third domain, activities to link research to action, consists of three parts.…”

A cross-sectional survey of supports for evidence-informed decision-making in healthcare organisations: a research protocol

“…meetings that highlight relevant research) and (4) evaluation efforts (e.g. monitoring and evaluation efforts on the use of research in decision-making) [3],[4]. In-depth semi-structured interviews conducted in three types of healthcare organisations (regional health authorities, hospitals and primary care practices) in two Canadian provinces (Ontario and Quebec) reveal the current mix of supports that these organisation have in place and the ones that are perceived to facilitate the use of research evidence in decision-making [3],[5].…”