Looking for bridge engineering: the role of an information officer in ’sanitary service’

Abstract

Background Launched in 2018, ’sanitary service’ aims at training all future health professionals in prevention issues, through elaborating concrete projects designed for population identified as priority. It responds to the first axe of the National Health Strategy, which is to develop a prevention and health promotion policy. In our region, about 430 actions have been implemented by 2200 students, in interdisciplinary teams. Objectives From this context occurred a reflection on how a documentary product can be used as a bridge between various health disciplines and a path to health promotion. A triple goal is pursued: provide pedagogic support, share a common view and langage, help with taking action. Results 6 theme-based document files were created. They were conceived as a collection, with a running gag in titles, colourful covers and numerous illustrations. As for promotion and dissemination, they appeared on our website, on social networks, but also (Back to the Future?) printed as proper books and sent to our partners. Our team also got involved in methodological assistance, at university and in our resource centre. Thanks to its formal innovation and its multidisciplinary audience, this production built a collective culture of health promotion. Overpassing sanitary service, it is now used by other professionals for different purposes, including project managers during training sessions. Conclusions This action faced the recurring challenge of assessing a support function such as ours, but performed in becoming a showcase to promote our structure. Information accessibility could be improved by better internet referencing, its attraction by infographics, its efficiency by evaluation. But above all, live interaction appears to be the key in a knowledge transfer strategy. Key messages Sanitary service is an opportunity to picture a common view on health promotion. As documentalists, let’s build bridges to knowledge by turning into super mediators.