Knowledge synthesis and transfer: a case-study

Overview

This case-study on knowledge synthesis and transfer at HRP focuses primarily on The WHO Reproductive Health Library (RHL) and HRP’s associated work on systematic reviews. The Programme does not have a working definition of the term ‘knowledge synthesis and transfer’.

For this case-study, ‘knowledge synthesis’ was defined as the sifting and combining of evidence derived from research to guide clinical decision-making and to assist in the formulation of health policies; ‘knowledge transfer’ was defined as the dissemination and implementation of that evidence. The terms of reference were to evaluate the systematic reviews, RHL, dossiers for addition of medications to the WHO List of Essential Medicines, summaries of evidence for consensus statements and evidence-based guidance.