Evaluating the effectiveness of knowledge brokering in health research: a systematised review with some bibliometric information.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify the effectiveness of knowledge brokering as a knowledge translation (KT) strategy used in promoting evidence-based decision-making, evidence-based practice or collaboration between researchers, health practitioners and policymakers.

METHODS

A systematised review of literature was performed using MEDLINE (through ProQuest Dialog), PubMed and Scopus electronic databases. A search strategy was developed to identify primary studies indexed in these databases on knowledge translation that reported the implementation of knowledge brokering. Sixty-two titles related to knowledge brokering were identified from the search after the removal of duplicates, and 24 articles met the eligibility criteria following the review of the full text documents. The findings were then synthesised using a narrative approach.

RESULTS

It was found that knowledge brokering has been an effective strategy for knowledge translation.

CONCLUSION

Although this review shows that knowledge brokering has been an effective strategy for KT, it advocates for more empirical studies to compare the effectiveness of specific knowledge brokering approaches with others. It also calls for empirical studies to explicate the role of library and information science professionals in knowledge brokering.