Reaching health service managers with research

Introduction. The aim of this paper is to identify and characterize the routes by which research may reach health service managers to influence their critical decisions. Method.This research used two series of qualitative interviews, documentary analysis (a calendar study) and a card-sorting exercise to explore the workplace information practices of thirty-six health service managers. Analysis. Both interview studies used the cross-case analysis. The second interview study also used within-case analysis in the form of information transaction mapping. Information transactions, calendar study and card-sorting exercise data were reported quantitatively. Results. This exploratory study found that these health service managers overcame short time lines, unclear processes and simultaneous conflicting priorities by bringing together groups accustomed to sharing information orally to inform their critical decisions. Each decision was informed by different categories and types of information. Group decisions allowed information from multiple sources, including research, to be integrated until there was just enough for a comfortable decision. Research reached these managers through one or more of at least eight different routes. Conclusions. Professional standards, conferences, structurally positioned gatekeepers (knowledgeable co-workers in positions related to the critical decision subject) and other information sources that appraise and filter research then blend it with local context are preferred over research papers that must be searched, read, appraised and then integrated with other information types. Eight routes by which research reaches health services managers are compared with seven elements in a research-to-policy conceptual framework.