Article type
Year
Abstract
Background:
Evidence-informed decision making (EIDM) is important to ensure that public health practice is evidence-informed and resources are being used efficiently and effectively. However, public health professionals can face barriers to EIDM. Capacity for EIDM has improved in recent years, however, gaps still remain. In response, the National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools (NCCMT) developed the Knowledge Broker Mentoring program, a hands-on mentorship program to support organizational and individual capacity development for EIDM.
Objectives:
The objective of this work is to explore the impact of the Knowledge Broker Mentoring program on both program participants and their organizations with respect to EIDM knowledge, skill and behaviours.
Methods:
A fundamental descriptive qualitative design was used to evaluate the program. All public health units participating in cohorts one and two of the program were invited to participate in the evaluation. Each organization identified up to five staff to participate in data collection. Eligible staff included program participants, managers, and senior decision makers in the organization. Telephone interviews were conducted using an interview guide. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A general inductive approach was used to analyze the data which involved organizing the data into themes and sub-themes based on each area of inquiry.
Results:
A total of 50 respondents from ten local public health departments participated in the study. Of those, thirty-three respondents were program participants, nine were managers and eight were senior decision makers. Participants reported increased: confidence; EIDM knowledge and skills; and interpersonal connections. At the organizational level, the groups reported conducting rapid reviews, critically appraising evidence, and using evidence in program planning decisions. Additionally, organizations have put in place ongoing supports to build EIDM capacity. Additional strategies that were implemented across the organizations to support EIDM include dedicated staff positions, working groups, ongoing training, standardized processes, and resources such as guidebooks, frameworks and online portals.
Conclusions:
The program was perceived as being highly successful in increasing capacity and furthering EIDM practices. The use of a qualitative design facilitated the identification of impact beyond what would have been observed if the evaluation had been limited to a quantitative approach. The knowledge broker mentoring program appears to be a promising approach to supporting EIDM.
Patient or healthcare consumer involvement: Not applicable.
Evidence-informed decision making (EIDM) is important to ensure that public health practice is evidence-informed and resources are being used efficiently and effectively. However, public health professionals can face barriers to EIDM. Capacity for EIDM has improved in recent years, however, gaps still remain. In response, the National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools (NCCMT) developed the Knowledge Broker Mentoring program, a hands-on mentorship program to support organizational and individual capacity development for EIDM.
Objectives:
The objective of this work is to explore the impact of the Knowledge Broker Mentoring program on both program participants and their organizations with respect to EIDM knowledge, skill and behaviours.
Methods:
A fundamental descriptive qualitative design was used to evaluate the program. All public health units participating in cohorts one and two of the program were invited to participate in the evaluation. Each organization identified up to five staff to participate in data collection. Eligible staff included program participants, managers, and senior decision makers in the organization. Telephone interviews were conducted using an interview guide. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A general inductive approach was used to analyze the data which involved organizing the data into themes and sub-themes based on each area of inquiry.
Results:
A total of 50 respondents from ten local public health departments participated in the study. Of those, thirty-three respondents were program participants, nine were managers and eight were senior decision makers. Participants reported increased: confidence; EIDM knowledge and skills; and interpersonal connections. At the organizational level, the groups reported conducting rapid reviews, critically appraising evidence, and using evidence in program planning decisions. Additionally, organizations have put in place ongoing supports to build EIDM capacity. Additional strategies that were implemented across the organizations to support EIDM include dedicated staff positions, working groups, ongoing training, standardized processes, and resources such as guidebooks, frameworks and online portals.
Conclusions:
The program was perceived as being highly successful in increasing capacity and furthering EIDM practices. The use of a qualitative design facilitated the identification of impact beyond what would have been observed if the evaluation had been limited to a quantitative approach. The knowledge broker mentoring program appears to be a promising approach to supporting EIDM.
Patient or healthcare consumer involvement: Not applicable.