Opinion Leaders
Individuals in an organization who have formal or informal influence on the attitudes and beliefs of their colleagues with respect to implementing the intervention.
Individuals in an organization who have formal or informal influence on the attitudes and beliefs of their colleagues with respect to implementing the intervention [1][2]. There is general agreement that there are 2 different types of opinion leaders: 1) experts; and 2) peers [3]. Expert opinion leaders exert influence through their authority and status [1]. Peer opinion leaders exert influence through their representativeness and credibility [1]. Rogers defines opinion leaders in terms of the degree to which an individual is able to influence other attitudes or overt behavior informally in a desired way [2]. But opinion leaders can also exert a strong negative effect as well [3]. External change agents often use opinion leaders in a social system as “lieutenants” in diffusion activities [2]. Opinion leaders can lose respect of their peers if they come to be regarded as a professional change agent [2]. The role and definition of opinion leaders is varied and complex. Its effect on promoting use of interventions is mixed based on a review of randomized control trials ranging from -6% to +25% in improving behaviors of healthcare professionals [4].
Inclusion Criteria
Include statements related to engagement strategies and outcomes, e.g., how the opinion leader became engaged with the innovation and what their role is in implementation. Note: Although both strategies and outcomes are coded here, the outcome of efforts to engage staff determines the rating, i.e. if there are repeated attempts to engage an opinion leader that are not successful, or if the opinion leader leaves the organization and this role is vacant, the construct receives a negative rating. In addition, you may also want to code the “quality” of the opinion leader here – their capabilities, motivation, and skills, i.e. how good they are at their job, and this affects the rating as well.
Exclusion Criteria
Currently no criteria are listed; as we become aware of criteria, we will post them here. Please contact us with updates.
Check out SIRC’s Instrument Review project and published systematic review protocol, which has cataloged over 400 implementation-related measures.
Note: As we become aware of measures, we will post them here. Please contact us with updates.
- Greenhalgh T, Robert G, Macfarlane F, Bate P, Kyriakidou O: Diffusion of innovations in service organizations: systematic review and recommendations. Milbank Q 2004, 82:581-629.
- Rogers E: Diffusion of Innovations 5th edition. New York, NY: Free Press; 2003.
- Locock L, Dopson S, Chambers D, Gabbay J: Understanding the role of opinion leaders in improving clinical effectiveness. Soc Sci Med 2001, 53:745-757.
- Doumit G, Gattellari M, Grimshaw J, O’Brien MA: Local opinion leaders: effects on professional practice and health care outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007:CD000125.