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Implementation Science
Published in: Implementation Science 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research

The use of tacit and explicit knowledge in public health: a qualitative study

Authors: Anita Kothari, Debbie Rudman, Maureen Dobbins, Michael Rouse, Shannon Sibbald, Nancy Edwards

Published in: Implementation Science | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Background

Planning a public health initiative is both a science and an art. Public health practitioners work in a complex, often time-constrained environment, where formal research literature can be unavailable or uncertain. Consequently, public health practitioners often draw upon other forms of knowledge.

Methods

Through use of one-on-one interviews and focus groups, we aimed to gain a better understanding of how tacit knowledge is used to inform program initiatives in public health. This study was designed as a narrative inquiry, which is based on the assumption that we make sense of the world by telling stories. Four public health units were purposively selected for maximum variation, based on geography and academic affiliation.

Results

Analysis revealed different ways in which tacit knowledge was used to plan the public health program or initiative, including discovering the opportunity, bringing a team together, and working out program details (such as partnering, funding).

Conclusions

The findings of this study demonstrate that tacit knowledge is drawn upon, and embedded within, various stages of the process of program planning in public health. The results will be useful in guiding the development of future knowledge translation strategies for public health organizations and decision makers.
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Metadata
Title
The use of tacit and explicit knowledge in public health: a qualitative study
Authors
Anita Kothari
Debbie Rudman
Maureen Dobbins
Michael Rouse
Shannon Sibbald
Nancy Edwards
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Implementation Science / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1748-5908
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-7-20

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