|
Health Knowledge Network
About us
Purpose
The Health Knowledge Network's purpose is to foster interest in, awareness and use of effective evidence-based strategies for consumer and carer engagement in health.
The Network's primary objectives are to:
- increase knowledge of evidence-based consumer and carer engagement among people in the Victorian health sector;
- share information on research and on practical strategies for health services to adopt in relation to good communication with patients and families about their health care;
- develop resources to assist people in the Victorian health sector to make evidence-informed decisions about people's participation in health care.
The Evolution of the Health Knowledge Network (HKN)
The Health Knowledge Network grew out of Consumer Participation and Health Literacy forums convened by the Cochrane Consumers and Communication Review Group in 2005 and 2007 respectively. Participants at both events agreed with the imperative of evidence-informed practice and wanted to be part of a network around dissemination of high quality and accessible information.
Participants from these forums form the heart of HKN membership and the Network is slowly expanding as new audiences are identified. Members of the Network include consumer advocates, healthcare professionals, researchers and academics, and government health department personnel.
HKN knowledge transfer services are also developed in support of Evaluating effectiveness of participation (EEP) projects – projects funded by the Department of Human Services, Quality and Safety Branch at four Victorian health services during 2007-08.
back to top
People
- Helen Dilkes is the main point of contact for the Health Knowledge Network. Helen produces the Evidence and Resource bulletins, developed the website, manages HKN membership and coordinates knowledge transfer/dissemination activities.
- Rebecca Ryan contributes to the Effectiveness Research arm of the new Centre for Health Communication and Participation and produces overviews of systematic reviews that provide source material for HKN Evidence bulletins.
- Sophie Hill, the Coordinating Editor of the Cochrane Consumers and Communication Review Group, conceived of the HKN and oversees its activities.
- Other staff of the Cochrane Consumers and Communication Review Group support the activities of the Network.
HKN Advisory Group
As the Health Knowledge Network developed, we invited key stakeholders to form an advisory group, which meets quarterly with Network staff. Advisory group members are involved principally to provide guidance to the Network and to be conduits for information to other networks and organisations.
Advisory group members are
- Sally Fawkes – Research Fellow, La Trobe University School of Public Health
- Linda Mack – Community Engagement Coordinator, Community Relations, Melbourne Health
- Jackie Mansourian – Support to the Victorian Community Advisory Committees, Health Issues Centre
- Michael Summers –
Senior policy advisor, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Australia
back to top
Structure and Funding
The Health Knowledge Network is an arm of the new Centre for Health Communication and Participation at the Australian Institute for Primary Care, La Trobe University. The Centre will be formally launched in 2008. The Cochrane Consumers and Communication Review Group is the core of the new Centre.
HKN knowledge transfer services are developed with funding from several sources including the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, and the Department of Human Services, Victoria, Consumer Participation and Information, Quality and Safety Branch (in support of Evaluating Effectiveness of Participation (EEP) projects).
back to top
|
