Knowledge Brokering

The importance of evaluating the effectiveness of brokering has been underscored at every meeting the Foundation has had on brokering. We are therefore evaluating the impact of knowledge brokering on organizations wishing to incorporate research into their decision-making processes through this series of demonstration projects. The objectives of the demonstration site program are:

1. to stimulate the implementation of structures, processes, or people in decision-making organizations dedicated to linking researchers with decision makers in their organizations and facilitating their interactions; and
2. to increase the appropriate use of quality research in the decision-making processes of successful applicant organizations.

Each of the six sites will undertake formative and summative evaluations of their individual projects.

The Foundation is leading a collaborative overall evaluation of the demonstration site program.

Twenty-nine applications were received in this first competition for the Foundation's knowledge brokering demonstration site competition (PDF - 4.2 MB). Four applications were screened out as they did not meet the criteria for the competition.

The remaining 25 applications were reviewed by the merit review panel on October 27, 2004. The membership of the merit review panel consisted of a mix of researchers and decision makers familiar with the Foundation's mandate and the goals of the knowledge brokering program. The panel was chaired by François Champagne, who also served as the scientific officer.

Four applications were reviewed from Quebec, six from Ontario, 11 from the western provinces, and four from the Atlantic region.

The panel recommended six applications for funding. Four additional applications are on an internal reserve list, should additional funds become available.

Of the six applications being offered funding at this time, three are from Alberta, two are from Quebec, and one is from Ontario.

The following are the names of the team leads, the province where the site will take place, and the title of the demonstration site project, listed in alphabetical order:

• Melanie Barwick, Ontario
  Knowledge Brokering for Paediatrics Healthcare Research: From Science, to Linkage, to Impact [Courtage de connaissances pour la recherche en soins pédiatriques : de la science à la création de liens et aux résultats]
  
  
• Lorraine Boucher, Alberta
  Many Jurisdictions One System - Knowledge Transfer and Knowledge Brokering for Cross-jurisdiction Health Services Integration and First Nations Health [Plusieurs autorités, un seul système - le transfert de connaissances et le courtage de connaissances pour l'intégration des services de santé entre autorités et pour la santé des Premières nations]
  
  
• Cynthia Johnson, Alberta
  Evidence and Policy in Long-term Care: Building a Bridge with Knowledge Brokering [Résultats et politiques en soins de longue durée : créer un pont par le biais du courtage de connaissances]
  
  
• Jean-François Labadie, Quebec
  Alliance interrégionale de courtage de connaissances sur les services de première ligne [Inter-regional Front-line Services Knowledge Brokering Alliance]
  
  
• Denis A. Roy, Quebec
  Le courtier en connaissances pour renouveler le processus décisionnel d'un système régional de santé en évolution [The Knowledge Broker to Renew the Decision-Making Process in a Changing Regional Healthcare System]
  
  
• Kari Simonson, Alberta
  A Knowledge Brokering Model for Rural Health Care Decision Makers - Designed to Make a Difference to Patient Safety and Quality of Care [Un modèle de courtage de connaissances pour les décideurs en services de santé ruraux : modèle conçu pour faire la différence en termes de sécurité du patient et de qualité des soins]