Exploring Knowledge Sharing Among Medical and Non-Medical Staff: A Case Study Of An Ophthalmology Hospital In Malaysia

The main purpose of this study is to explore the views medical and non-medical staffs of an Ophthalmology hospital towards the importance of knowledge sharing (KS), discover barriers to KS and strategies that may encourage KS. Furthermore, it examined the differences in the views of these constructs between medical and non-medical staff. Questionnaires derived from previous studies were used to collect a survey data from a purposive sample of 54 staff of an Ophthalmology hospital. The results were subjected to descriptive analyses. The results showed that there was a general good awareness by respondents about the importance of KS. Major organizational barriers identified in this study include no system to identify colleagues with whom to share knowledge, and lack of reward and recognition. Major individual barriers identified include lack of interaction between those who need knowledge and those who can provide and lack of trust and communication. Major strategies suggested by respondents include management encouragement to allow publications on newsletter and website, linking KS with performance appraisal and rewards. There was statistical significant difference in the views of medical and non-medical staffs in area of trust and linking KS with non-monetary rewards. This study noted that the management of the hospital must take into considerations, the difference in views and also avail the different opportunities present in the hospital environment to evolve ways in which KS can be encouraged and implemented in the hospital.   Key words: Knowledge sharing, medical staff, non medical staff, Ophthalmology hospital