Table 2.

A classification of knowledge encounters: knowledge facets, descriptions and examples

Knowledge facet	Description	Examples from included studies
Codified knowledge	Research, theoretical or practice-based knowledge subject to quality control by editors, peer review and debate	Journal, guidelines, textbook
Individualised codified knowledge	Codified knowledge presented in some manner by individuals in person	Informal conversation with colleagues, seminars, grand rounds
Procedural knowledge	The individual actions required to carry out a given activity	Observation of other’s practice
Process or policy knowledge	Local or national processes and policies	Local care delivery, national health policy
Experiential knowledge	That obtained through personal experience	What has worked/not worked before, personal clinical experience, patient’s experiences of illness
Custom	The implicit norms of a given healthcare setting or professional group	The way it has always been done
Product or service knowledge	Commercial product and service characteristics	Company representative, company literature