title: Knowledge brokering in public health: A critical analysis of the results of a qualitative evaluation.
abstract: Empirical data on the processes underlying knowledge brokering (KB) interventions, including their determining factors and effects, remain scarce. Furthermore, these interventions are rarely built on explicit theoretical foundations, making their critical analysis difficult, even a posteriori. For these reasons, it appeared relevant to revisit the results of a qualitative evaluation undertaken in the province of Quebec in parallel with a Canada-wide randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating various KB strategies in public health. This paper looks critically at the theoretical foundations of the KB interventions in light of two conceptual models: (1) the dissemination model underlying the KB interventions used in the Canadian trial and (2) a systemic KB model developed later. This critical analysis sheds light on the processes involved in KB interventions and the factors influencing their implementation and effects. The conclusions of the critical analysis are consistent with the systemic model, in which interpersonal contact is an essential condition for effective KB interventions. This analysis may advance knowledge in the field by enhancing our understanding of the role of knowledge brokers as essential mediators in KB processes and outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128 Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, Québec H3C 3J7, Canada. Electronic address: christian.dagenais@umontreal.ca.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dagenais
authors.affiliation: McGill University Health Center, 687, Pine Avenue, Montréal, Québec H3A 1A1, Canada. Electronic address: marie-claire.laurendeau@muhc.mcgill.ca.
authors.forename: Marie-Claire
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Laurendeau
authors.affiliation: Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128 Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, Québec H3C 3J7, Canada. Electronic address: melodie.briand-lamarche@umontreal.ca.
authors.forename: Mélodie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Briand-Lamarche
mesh_terms: D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058436:Knowledge Management; D008297:Male; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D015980:Public Health Practice; D011786:Quality Control; D011792:Quebec; D013223:Statistics as Topic
keywords: Critical analysis; Knowledge brokering; Qualitative evaluation