Process evaluation of implementing knowledge management tools in public health

Translating formal and informal knowledge into public health (PH) action is essential given that PH professionals rely on up-to-date and context-specific information for effective programme planning, implementation, and evaluation. Knowledge management (KM) provides possible solutions to this challenge. We conducted an evaluation of a pilot implementation of four KM tools: (1) After Action Review; (2) Communities of Practice; (3) Peer Assist and; (4) Organizational Yellow Pages. The evaluation focused on fidelity, feasibility, and acceptability of the tools. Three main messages emerged from the study findings: (1) KM tools can be implemented in a PH context for the sharing of explicit and tacit knowledge, (2) enabling organizational environments were important for implementation, and (3) the provision of a facilitator during the implementation period was also important and appreciated by study participants.