Knowledge Management for Data Use and Decision Making in International Public Health
1. Knowledge Management for
Data Use and Decision Making in
International Public Health
Leah D. Gordon
MCHIP
March 13, 2012
2. This report was made possible by support from
the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation under terms
of the MLE Project for the Urban Reproductive
Health Initiative. The MLE Project is implemented
by the Carolina Population Center at the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in
partnership with African Population and Health
Research Center and the International Center for
Research on Women. The authors’ views
expressed in this publication do not necessarily
reflect the views of the donor, the Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation.
3. About the Authors
Anna Schurmann, Maternal and Reproductive
Health Consultant
Leah D. Gordon, Knowledge Management
Specialist
Lisa Basalla-Mwaikambo, eLearning Coordinator
4. Purpose of Paper
To explore knowledge management as a
discipline in public health
To learn how knowledge activities are conducted
To present platforms for knowledge sharing,
promoting data use and skill building.
6. How People Learn from and Share
Knowledge
Ecological learning
Networks and relationships
Observer to participant
7. Ecological Learning
Information acquisition and skill building are
influenced by, and influence, factors at the
individual, interpersonal, community,
organizational and policy levels.
Learning can be enhanced through mutually
reinforcing messages at different levels (e.g.,
individual, community or organizational).
8. Networks and Relationships
A number of theories suggest learning takes
place in the context of social relationships—
between the expert and learner, and between
learners.
This suggests that communication platforms that
leverage existing networks are likely to be most
effective.
9. Observer to Participant
Learning takes place in the movement from
observer to participant.
Communication tools and platforms that support
KM can provide many opportunities for
peripheral and active participation.
10. Translating Research Findings into Action
Within the cognitive Evaluation
domain, there are six
Synthesis
consecutive steps in
Analysis
learning—knowledge,
comprehension, Application
application, analysis, Comprehension
synthesis and
Knowledge
evaluation. The
learner must pass
through each one to
get to the next step.
12. Policy Makers
Policy makers need evidence
Database example: Health-Evidence
Dashboard example: My Public Health
13. Researchers
Share and check research methodologies and
replicate findings
Examples: Academic conferences, peer-review
journals, book and seminars
14. Program Managers
Program managers benefit from access to
research findings
61% of program managers need more
information on evidence-based practices
(K4Health, 2009)
16. Print publication
Policy briefs
Fact sheets
Journal articles
Example of an open access journal: Guttmacher
Institute’s
International Perspectives of Sexual and Reproductiv
17. Web Sites
Web sites used as tools for advocacy and
learning as well as resource centers
Example: Measurement, Learning and
Evaluation’s Urban Reproductive Health
18. Blogs
Provide insight on individual or organization’s
position
Example: Malaria Free Future
19. Interpersonal Communication Methods
Presentation and lectures
– Population Reference Bureau’s “Malthus” lecture
– Technology Entertainment and Design (TED)
Podcasts
– WHO Media Centre
Video Conferencing and webinars
– UNICEF’s Country-Led M&E Systems
Online discussion forums
– PRB’s “Ask the Expert/Discuss Online”
20. Interpersonal Communication cont.
Communities of Practice
– Routine Health Information Network and event
coverage
Listservs
IBP’s Knowledge Gateway
Recruiting champions
Online discussion forums
21. The Classroom
Distance and online learning
– USAID’s Global Health eLearning Center
Mobile technology assisted learning (mLearning)
– AED-SATELLIFE project HealthNet.org
Training workshops
23. In summary
KM strategies can bridge gaps between
knowledge and practice
KM strategies must meet needs of defined
audiences
KM works best when designed around common
purpose
Reinforce messages through complimentary
communication platforms that support KM
24. www.urbanreproductivehealth.org
You can find the complete paper at:
www.urbanreproductivehealth.org
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