Improving the implementation of evidence-based practice: a knowledge management perspective.
Experience of knowledge management initiatives in non-health care organizations can offer useful insights, and strategies, to implement evidence-based practice in health care. Knowledge management offers a structured process for the generation, storage, distribution and application of knowledge in organizations. This includes both tacit knowledge (personal experience) and explicit knowledge (evidence). Communities of practice are a key component of knowledge management and have been recognized to be essential for the implementation of change in organizations. It is within communities of practice that tacit knowledge is actively integrated with explicit knowledge. Organizational factors that limit the development of knowledge management, including communities of practice, in non-health care organizations need to be overcome if the potential is to be achieved within health care.
Sandars
John
J
Evidence for Population Health Unit, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. john.sandars@man.ac.uk
Heller
Richard
R
D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D036262:Empirical Research; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval; D007256:Information Systems; D019359:Knowledge; D015279:Organizational Culture; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013192:Staff Development / Q000458:organization & administration