Minwoong Chung1,2, Debra Dekker3, Chelsea Gridley-Smith3, James W Dearing4. 1. Department of Communicology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii. 2. Department of Communicology, George Hall 322, 2560 Campus Rd, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822. Email: chungm3@hawaii.edu. 3. National Association of County and City Health Officials, Washington, District of Columbia. 4. Department of Communication, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Communication networks among professionals can be pathways for accelerating the diffusion of innovations if some local health departments (LHDs) drive the spread of knowledge. Such a network could prove valuable during public health emergencies such as the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Our objective was to determine whether LHDs in the United States were tied together in an informal network to share information and advice about innovative community health practices, programs, and policies. METHODS: In January and February 2020, we conducted an online survey of 2,303 senior LHD leaders to ask several questions about their sources of advice. We asked respondents to rank up to 3 other LHDs whose practices informed their work on new public health programs, evidence-based practices, and policies intended to improve community health. We used a social network analysis program to assess answers. RESULTS: A total of 329 LHDs responded. An emergent network appeared to operate nationally among 740 LHDs. Eleven LHDs were repeatedly nominated by peers as sources of advice or examples (ie, opinion leaders), and 24 acted as relational bridges to hold these emergent networks together (ie, boundary spanners). Although 2 LHDs played both roles, most LHDs we surveyed performed neither of these roles. CONCLUSION: Opinion leading and boundary spanning health departments can be accessed to increase the likelihood of affecting the rate of interest in and adoption of innovations. Decision makers involved in disseminating new public health practices, programs, or policies may find our results useful both for emergencies and for practice-as-usual.
INTRODUCTION: Communication networks among professionals can be pathways for accelerating the diffusion of innovations if some local health departments (LHDs) drive the spread of knowledge. Such a network could prove valuable during public health emergencies such as the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Our objective was to determine whether LHDs in the United States were tied together in an informal network to share information and advice about innovative community health practices, programs, and policies. METHODS: In January and February 2020, we conducted an online survey of 2,303 senior LHD leaders to ask several questions about their sources of advice. We asked respondents to rank up to 3 other LHDs whose practices informed their work on new public health programs, evidence-based practices, and policies intended to improve community health. We used a social network analysis program to assess answers. RESULTS: A total of 329 LHDs responded. An emergent network appeared to operate nationally among 740 LHDs. Eleven LHDs were repeatedly nominated by peers as sources of advice or examples (ie, opinion leaders), and 24 acted as relational bridges to hold these emergent networks together (ie, boundary spanners). Although 2 LHDs played both roles, most LHDs we surveyed performed neither of these roles. CONCLUSION: Opinion leading and boundary spanning health departments can be accessed to increase the likelihood of affecting the rate of interest in and adoption of innovations. Decision makers involved in disseminating new public health practices, programs, or policies may find our results useful both for emergencies and for practice-as-usual.
Authors: James W Dearing; Amanda M Beacom; Stephanie A Chamberlain; Jingbo Meng; Whitney B Berta; Janice M Keefe; Janet E Squires; Malcolm B Doupe; Deanne Taylor; Robert Colin Reid; Heather Cook; Greta G Cummings; Jennifer L Baumbusch; Jennifer Knopp-Sihota; Peter G Norton; Carole A Estabrooks Journal: Implement Sci Date: 2017-02-03 Impact factor: 7.327
Authors: Michelle L Holshue; Chas DeBolt; Scott Lindquist; Kathy H Lofy; John Wiesman; Hollianne Bruce; Christopher Spitters; Keith Ericson; Sara Wilkerson; Ahmet Tural; George Diaz; Amanda Cohn; LeAnne Fox; Anita Patel; Susan I Gerber; Lindsay Kim; Suxiang Tong; Xiaoyan Lu; Steve Lindstrom; Mark A Pallansch; William C Weldon; Holly M Biggs; Timothy M Uyeki; Satish K Pillai Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2020-01-31 Impact factor: 91.245