Knowledge management and knowledge brokering in the Health Promotion Offices in Hungary: a qualitative study

BackgroundThe Health Promotion Offices (HPOs) are essential institutions in the Hungarian public health system, providing public health services at the community level, operating intersectoral partnerships, and performing knowledge management and knowledge brokerage (KM/KB) functions. The study aime...

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Main Authors: Attila Virág, Csaba László Dózsa, Borbála Cseh, Blanka Túri, Rita Teller, Gergő Túri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1588370/full
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author Attila Virág
Csaba László Dózsa
Borbála Cseh
Blanka Túri
Rita Teller
Gergő Túri
author_facet Attila Virág
Csaba László Dózsa
Borbála Cseh
Blanka Túri
Rita Teller
Gergő Túri
author_sort Attila Virág
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundThe Health Promotion Offices (HPOs) are essential institutions in the Hungarian public health system, providing public health services at the community level, operating intersectoral partnerships, and performing knowledge management and knowledge brokerage (KM/KB) functions. The study aimed to map the knowledge, experiences and practices of HPOs in the field of KM/KB and evidence-based decision making.MethodsThe qualitative research study used semi-structured individual interviews with HPO members to collect their knowledge, experiences and insights regarding knowledge management, knowledge brokering and evidence-based decision-making. Twenty-two interviews were conducted in the summer of 2023, and a qualitative content analysis method was used to analyze the interview transcripts.ResultsThe activities of HPOs are multifaceted, encompassing various KM/KB elements. While HPOs are typically involved in knowledge acquisition, storage, communication and exchange, the evaluation of the social and economic benefits of public health programs and services is an area that requires further development. HPO members have differing views on their role in evidence-based decision-making, but many believe that HPOs actively support local decision-makers. According to HPO members, they are most active as knowledge brokers in community health planning. The barriers to KM/KB are decision-makers disinterest and different organizational or personal motivations. Factors that support KM/KB are the local embeddedness of HPOs, their advocacy practices and their approach to health in all policies.ConclusionThe HPOs are involved in KM/KB activities and support a more pronounced presence of these functions in their portfolio. However, this requires the improvement of the current funding methodology, the establishment of KM/KB protocols and training, and clarifying the roles and responsibilities of HPOs in the legislation.
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spelling doaj-art-5e33b1dbfc954dac9f91eb35185989772025-08-20T03:09:57ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-06-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15883701588370Knowledge management and knowledge brokering in the Health Promotion Offices in Hungary: a qualitative studyAttila Virág0Csaba László Dózsa1Borbála Cseh2Blanka Túri3Rita Teller4Gergő Túri5Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Corvinus University of Budapest, Budapest, HungaryDepartment of Theoretical Health Sciences, University of Miskolc, Miskolc, HungaryDepartment of Theoretical Health Sciences, University of Miskolc, Miskolc, HungarySynthesis Health Research Foundation, Budapest, HungaryFaculty of Humanities, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, HungaryEpidemiology and Surveillance Centre, Semmelweis University, Budapest, HungaryBackgroundThe Health Promotion Offices (HPOs) are essential institutions in the Hungarian public health system, providing public health services at the community level, operating intersectoral partnerships, and performing knowledge management and knowledge brokerage (KM/KB) functions. The study aimed to map the knowledge, experiences and practices of HPOs in the field of KM/KB and evidence-based decision making.MethodsThe qualitative research study used semi-structured individual interviews with HPO members to collect their knowledge, experiences and insights regarding knowledge management, knowledge brokering and evidence-based decision-making. Twenty-two interviews were conducted in the summer of 2023, and a qualitative content analysis method was used to analyze the interview transcripts.ResultsThe activities of HPOs are multifaceted, encompassing various KM/KB elements. While HPOs are typically involved in knowledge acquisition, storage, communication and exchange, the evaluation of the social and economic benefits of public health programs and services is an area that requires further development. HPO members have differing views on their role in evidence-based decision-making, but many believe that HPOs actively support local decision-makers. According to HPO members, they are most active as knowledge brokers in community health planning. The barriers to KM/KB are decision-makers disinterest and different organizational or personal motivations. Factors that support KM/KB are the local embeddedness of HPOs, their advocacy practices and their approach to health in all policies.ConclusionThe HPOs are involved in KM/KB activities and support a more pronounced presence of these functions in their portfolio. However, this requires the improvement of the current funding methodology, the establishment of KM/KB protocols and training, and clarifying the roles and responsibilities of HPOs in the legislation.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1588370/fullknowledge managementknowledge brokeringevidence-based decision-makinghealth promotionprogram evaluationstakeholder engagement
spellingShingle Attila Virág
Csaba László Dózsa
Borbála Cseh
Blanka Túri
Rita Teller
Gergő Túri
Knowledge management and knowledge brokering in the Health Promotion Offices in Hungary: a qualitative study
Frontiers in Public Health
knowledge management
knowledge brokering
evidence-based decision-making
health promotion
program evaluation
stakeholder engagement
title Knowledge management and knowledge brokering in the Health Promotion Offices in Hungary: a qualitative study
title_full Knowledge management and knowledge brokering in the Health Promotion Offices in Hungary: a qualitative study
title_fullStr Knowledge management and knowledge brokering in the Health Promotion Offices in Hungary: a qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge management and knowledge brokering in the Health Promotion Offices in Hungary: a qualitative study
title_short Knowledge management and knowledge brokering in the Health Promotion Offices in Hungary: a qualitative study
title_sort knowledge management and knowledge brokering in the health promotion offices in hungary a qualitative study
topic knowledge management
knowledge brokering
evidence-based decision-making
health promotion
program evaluation
stakeholder engagement
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1588370/full
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