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Purpose Effective knowledge management (KM) enables the health care organisations to reach their goals. In modern health care the empowered patients are active partners, whose preferences, needs and values should be taken into account. Shared decision making (SDM) aims at involving the patient and the health professionals as equal partners in care. The purpose of this paper is to present a new model of health care information and knowledge processes (IKPs) as a KM framework. The aim is to scrutinise what types of knowing can be identified the IKPs and how do the knowledge processes support SDM. The role of patients in the IKPs is discussed. Design/methodology/approach The qualitative case study was conducted in two Finnish university hospital districts in integrated care pathways of childhood obesity. In total, 30 professionals and three mothers and children were interviewed 2009-2011 and the findings were supported with a survey (n=13) and document material. Findings The findings indicate that the patients and families involvement in the IKPs is modest. This implies that SDM is not completely fulfilled which may affect the families commitment to positive lifestyle changes. Research limitations/implications The data of the patients and families were limited due to the challenges with recruitment. Practical implications The detailed IKP model enables the health organisations to scrutinise their own IKPs and to identify the shortages in order to change practices. Originality/value This paper presents a new model of health care KM which recognises the patients as active partners.

The purpose of this article is to explore how information and knowledge processes (IKPs) influence co-creation and codestruction of value in a health service system. A qualitative, single embedded case-approach is taken to develop theory through a systematic combining of theoretical framework, empirical fieldwork, and case analysis. Six theoretical propositions are set to describe the linkage between IKPs and value co-creation (and co-destruction). The article contributes to health marketing and transformative service research by linking organizational activities to the motivation and empowerment of patients and their families, by highlighting the importance of the role of knowledge integration in value co-creation, by introducing a shift toward systems thinking, by conceptualizing value as manifested as health behavior change, and by underlining that health care processes may have a negative (value co-destructing) influence on the well-being of actors.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to increase understanding about value creation to families in childhood obesity care in multiprofessional collaboration in an integrated care pathway (ICP). Design/methodology/approach – The qualitative case study involves the ICPs of two Finnish University Hospital districts. The empirical data, collected between 2009 and 2012, consists of semi-structured interviews of 30 health professionals in primary and special health care, of three children and their mothers, a family questionnaire (n=13) complemented with care path instructions and memos of an ICP work group. Findings – The findings indicate that organisational culture confirms boundaries which hinder transfer of information and sharing of knowledge between organisations and professional groups. The concepts of Chatman’s theory of everyday life information seeking complemented with the concepts of Burnett’s and Jaeger’s theory of information worlds are applicable to describe aspects of organisational culture on patient value creation in the ICP for obese children. Research limitations/implications – The data of the patients and families were limited. Interviews were completed with a questionnaire which has its limitations in qualitative research. In future studies, e.g., families’ focus-group interviews could bring new insights. Practical implications – The practise of information transfer between Finnish primary and special health care need changes. Modern information technology, e.g., videoconference could be used to increase family involvement in the value creation and the environment should be more supportive for healthy lifestyle. Originality/value – The study is one of the first which empirically applies Chatman’s and Burnett’s and Jaeger’s theories in a work-related setting.