Knowledge mobilization in bridging patient‐practitioner‐researcher boundaries : a systematic integrative review

Aim

To review when, how, and in what context knowledge mobilization (KMb) has crossed patient‐practitioner‐researcher boundaries.

Background

KMb is essential in contemporary health care, yet little is known about how patients are engaged.

Design

Integrative review.

Data sources

Ten academic databases and grey literature.

Review methods

We followed integrative review methodology to identify publications from 2006–2019 which contributed to understanding of cross‐boundary KMb. We extracted data using a bespoke spreadsheet and the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) framework. We used meta‐summary to organize key findings.

Results

Thirty‐three papers collectively provide new insights into ‘when’ and ‘how’ KMb has crossed patient‐researcher‐practitioner boundaries and the impact this has achieved. Knowledge is mobilized to improve care, promote health, or prevent ill health. Most studies focus on creating or re‐shaping knowledge to make it more useful. Knowledge is mobilized in small community groups, in larger networks, and intervention studies. Finding the right people to engage in activities is crucial, as activities can be demanding and time‐consuming. Devolving power to communities and using local people to move knowledge can be effective. Few studies report definitive outcomes of KMb.

Conclusion

Cross‐boundary KMb can and does produce new and shared knowledge for health care. Positive outcomes can be achieved using diverse public engagement strategies. KMb process and theory is an emerging discipline, further research is needed on effective cross‐boundary working and on measuring the impact of KMb.

Impact

This review provides new and nuanced understandings of how KMb theory has been used to bridge patient‐researcher‐practitioner boundaries. We have assessed ‘how’, ‘when’, and in what context patients, practitioners and researchers have attempted to mobilize knowledge and identified impact. We have developed a knowledge base about good practice and what can and potentially should be avoided in cross‐boundary KMb.