The Influence of Social Networks on Knowledge Translation in Long Term Care Settings

Start/End Dates: 2009 - 2010

Investigators: Anne Sales (PI), Carole A. Estabrooks

Funder: Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Grant Amount: $68,726

Background: Social networks are theorized as significant influences in innovation adoption. There are several possible paths by which social networks could influence the uptake of knowledge translation interventions. Social networks affect communication patterns and are likely to affect the diffusion and uptake of information presented in feedback reports. Some psychological factors that may have an impact on how recipients respond to feedback, including locus of control, may also be associated with position in a social network, and in how accurately people perceive their social networks.

The goal of this project is to explore the effects of social networks in long term care nursing units on uptake of a specific intervention-audit with feedback-to improve quality of care in residential long term care settings.