Towards a Knowledge Sharing Maturity Model for medical imaging departments

BackgroundKnowledge sharing in medical imaging departments is being driven by the need to improve healthcare services, develop healthcare professionals skills, and reduce repetitive mistakes. It is considered an important step in the implementation of knowledge management solutions. By following a maturity model of knowledge sharing, knowledge sharing practices can be improved. The aim of this study was to develop a maturity model knowledge sharing in medical imaging department for helping managers to assess the level of maturity for knowledge sharing practices. ObjectivesIn the modern healthcare institutions, improvements in healthcare professionals skills and healthcare services are often driven through practicing knowledge sharing behaviours. To understand the level of maturity of knowledge sharing, mangers can follow the indicators of maturity model knowledge sharing and its measurements in order to identify the current level and move to the next level. MethodsThis study was conducted in three stages: An overview stage which highlighted the factors that affect knowledge sharing practices in medical imaging departments; an Analysis factor stage which was designed to assess the factors that affect knowledge sharing by using a concurrent mixed method approachs (questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews) in two medical imaging departments; and Structuring maturity model knowledge sharing stage, where a maturity model of knowledge sharing was developed based on the findings of the other stages. ResultsThe model presented in this study includes 17 indicators divided into 11 components. Those components derived from the findings of the questionnaires and semi-structured interviews that were applied in the medical imaging departments. It consists of five maturity levels: initial, aware, define, managed, and optimised. In each level were included measurements in order to help managers to assess the current level by answering to the measurements questions. ConclusionThis maturity model of knowledge sharing in medical imaging departments allows managers and policy makers to measure the maturity level of knowledge sharing in those departments. Although the model has been applied to the medical imaging departments, it might easily be modified to apply it to other institutions.