Barriers and facilitators to evidence-use in program management: a systematic review of the literature

Table 5 Barriers to evidence use: summary of types by theme

Barrier theme	Types of barrier
Information	• Irrelevance of research
	• Unclear definition of evidence
	• Negative perceptions of research
	• Limited access to information
	• Mismatch of research to complex reality
	• Time required to produce research
	• Excess quantity of information
Organization (Structure and Process)	• Time limitations
	• Lack of internal research resources
	• Human resource constraints
	• Financial constraints
	• Lack of data and systems
	• Deficient planning processes
	• Absence of processes
	• Poor support from senior management
	• Rigid program silos
	• Competing priorities
	• Poor communication
Organization (Culture)	• Decision-making
	• Crisis management
	• Resistance to change
	• Politically influenced decisions
	• Challenging the promotion of evidence use
Individual Skills	• Research literacy
	• Research utilization
	• Management
Interaction	• Decision-maker/researcher gap
Interaction	• Mutual mistrust