Title: A relational model of medical knowledge sharing and medical decision-making quality

Authors: Chinho Lin, Shofang Chang

Addresses: Department of Industrial and Information Management, Institute of Information Management, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC. ' Department of Hospital and Health Care Administration, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC

Abstract: Knowledge sharing has been recognised as a key approach in sustaining a competitive advantage. In knowledge-intensive firms like healthcare organisations, expertise is based upon well-developed and reshapeable knowledge networks. Hence, it is believed that in healthcare organisations, knowledge sharing among physicians improves medical decision-making quality. We propose a relational model between the factors influencing knowledge sharing, knowledge sharing outcome, and medical decision-making quality. Three-phased studies were conducted: in-depth interviews with 25 physicians, a case study using a survey approach, and a Delphi investigation. The relationships regarding how individual factors affect the knowledge sharing outcome and decision-making quality are confirmed through the three phases of the study.

Keywords: case study; content analysis; Delphi investigation; in-depth interviews; medical decisions; decision making quality; medical knowledge sharing; physicians; relational models; healthcare; knowledge networks.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2008.020554

International Journal of Technology Management, 2008 Vol.43 No.4, pp.320 - 348

Published online: 30 Sep 2008 *

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