Abstract
BackgroundSocial networks are theorized as significant influences in the innovation adoption and behavior change processes. Our understanding of how social networks operate within healthcare settings is limited. As a result, our ability to design optimal interventions that employ social networks as a method of fostering planned behavior change is also limited. Through this proposed project, we expect to contribute new knowledge about factors influencing uptake of knowledge translation interventions.ObjectivesOur specific aims include: To collect social network data among staff in two long-term care (LTC) facilities; to characterize social networks in these units; and to describe how social networks influence uptake and use of feedback reports.Methods and designIn this prospective study, we will collect data on social networks in nursing units in two LTC facilities, and use social network analysis techniques to characterize and describe the networks. These data will be combined with data from a funded project to explore the impact of social networks on uptake and use of feedback reports. In this parent study, feedback reports using standardized resident assessment data are distributed on a monthly basis. Surveys are administered to assess report uptake. In the proposed project, we will collect data on social networks, analyzing the data using graphical and quantitative techniques. We will combine the social network data with survey data to assess the influence of social networks on uptake of feedback reports.DiscussionThis study will contribute to understanding mechanisms for knowledge sharing among staff on units to permit more efficient and effective intervention design. A growing number of studies in the social network literature suggest that social networks can be studied not only as influences on knowledge translation, but also as possible mechanisms for fostering knowledge translation. This study will contribute to building theory to design such interventions.
Highlights
Social networks are theorized as significant influences in the innovation adoption and behavior change processes
A growing number of studies in the social network literature suggest that social networks can be studied as influences on knowledge translation, and as possible mechanisms for fostering knowledge translation
We suggest that social networks may influence social norms, which are a key construct in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), as well as exerting a direct influence on whether or not staff members perceive the feedback reports to be useful
Summary
Social networks are theorized as significant influences in the innovation adoption and behavior change processes. Our ability to design optimal interventions that employ social networks as a method of fostering planned behavior change is limited. Through this proposed project, we expect to contribute new knowledge about factors influencing uptake of knowledge translation interventions. Some psychological factors that may have an impact on how recipients respond to feedback, including perceived behavioral control, may be associated with position in a social network, and in how accurately people perceive their social networks and the behavior of others in their social networks The goal of this project is to explore the effects of social networks in long-term care (LTC) nursing units on uptake of a specific intervention--audit with feedback--to improve quality of care in residential LTC settings. We articulate a conceptual model of how social networks may influence intervention uptake, and develop methods to measure their effects
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