Increasing research use in nursing: implications for clinical educators and managers

[...]if a knowledge deficit does exist, one must determine if the deficit is related to domain (knowledge of research) or decision-making (knowledge of how to make appropriate decisions) 20 because research use depends on an understanding of both. Local opinion leaders Local opinion leaders are individuals who are seen to be influential within social networks. 46 Marketers have long recognised the benefits of opinion leaders by way of influential and interpersonal communication. 47 48 The review of interventions to increase research use by nurses 14 identified 1 study that reported positive effects of using local opinion leaders. 17 In a broader healthcare context, the effect of local opinion leaders as change agents is mixed. 10 43 46 In a recent systematic review, Doumit et al located 12 studies that examined the effects of local opinion leaders on practice change. 43 Of these, only 1 included participants from multiple disciplines.