The role of knowledge utilization in adopting innovations from academic medical centers.

A literature review and an exploratory survey were conducted to find out about knowledge utilization activities in academic medical centers. Structured interviews were conducted with one respondent in each of ten selected programs in one center and were followed by qualitative data analysis concerning types of knowledge utilization activities and their effectiveness, and barriers and incentives to the success of knowledge utilization. Suggestions are provided for ways administrators in both academic and community medical centers may increase their effectiveness in using knowledge utilization strategies to promote the adoption of innovations.