Knowledge sharing among healthcare providers in Gombe State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This study examined the barriers to, and channels of knowledge sharing among secondary healthcare providers including medical doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Medical laboratory scientist in Gombe State, Nigeria. The total enumeration technique was used because the population of 665 healthcare providers was not so large. Questionnaires were administered to the 665 healthcare providers, out of which 467 copies were found valid for analysis, giving a response rate of 70 percent. Key informant interviews were also held with 10 medical directors. The results showed that respondents have a high level of knowledge sharing. It also revealed the most frequently used channels through which healthcare providers in Gombe State share knowledge included the use of discussion group with the highest frequency of 314 (67.2%) followed by bulletin boards with 94 (20.1%) while the coffee room discussion had the lowest frequency of 8 (1.7%). The main barriers included bureaucratic procedures involved in knowledge sharing, lack of open-minded sharing environment, lack of trust of other peoples' knowledge, no proper organizational guidelines for sharing, Lack of training, lack of team work and lack of reward schemes for knowledge shared. The study recommended that the hospital administrators and hospital board should ensure that the identified barriers to knowledge sharing are removed, while the frequently used channels are strengthened in order to facilitate knowledge sharing among healthcare providers. This will curb the challenge of brain drain, promote quality service delivery and promote well-being of patients.