Does Knowledge Management Really Work?

Abstract

Contemporary organizations, including those involved with healthcare, are constantly under pressure to produce and implement new strategies for delivering better products and/or services. Knowledge Management (KM) has been one of the paradigms successfully applied in such business environs. However, a lack of proper application of KM principles and its components have reduced the confidence of new adopters of this paradigm. KM-based healthcare projects are moving forward, and innovation is the driving force behind such initiatives. This chapter sets the scene by outlining the KM’s core elements, facets and how they can be appropriately applied within an innovative, real-time healthcare project. It further enumerates a case study which targets the screening attendance issue for the NHS’ breast screening program. The case study not only discusses the need of a balanced approach to address both the technological and humanistic aspects of KM, but also answers the question “Does knowledge management really work?” A questionnaire-based study was conducted with the General Physicians (GPs) on the KM’s aspects and its relationship to the interventions proposed in the study. The study provided ample proof that a balanced approach will definitely increase the efficacy of such initiatives. Such studies can increase the confidence of future KM adopters in healthcare domain. This chapter provides credibility for such balanced KM-based initiatives and highlights the importance of a focused approach on the various facets of KM to maximize benefits.