Knowledge management effects and performance in health care: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Knowledge management is intended to achieve organisational goals through effective management of knowledge resources and performance. This paper presents a review of knowledge management effects and performance in health care. Six databases were searched, the searches employing Boolean operators and combinations of key words. In total, 16 articles fulfilled the criteria set for inclusion. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis. The review shows that in health care knowledge management effects and performance have been viewed from various perspectives: it has been linked to health care functions such as management, finance, patient care, quality and safety, IT, continued improvement of clinical operations, and organisational culture. However, the effects of knowledge management extend also to employees’ work, job satisfaction, learning, knowledge distribution, and productivity. This review aims to summarise the recent research on knowledge management effects and performance in health care. Some of the effects are universal and some are context-specific.