This pilot study assessed the validity of an instrument used to identify opinion leaders within a sample of nurses. Survey data were collected from all nurses within four surgical wards at a Scottish teaching hospital. The survey tool had three components: professional and personal characteristics; attitudes towards research; identification of opinion leaders. The main outcome measure was the identification of opinion leaders and the number of people who nominated each opinion leader. A total of 93 nurses were surveyed, of whom 61% (n=57) returned a questionnaire. However, only 40% (n=38) of the sample completed the opinion leader component of the survey tool. These response rates varied across the four wards. Four opinion leaders were nominated by more than five people: two in ward C; one in ward A; and one in ward D. Coverage across the wards was 58% (n=33) of those who had completed the questionnaire. This comprised just over one-third of the total sample (35%). All those identified as opinion leaders were of a significantly higher nursing grade than their non-opinion leader peers. The opinion leaders were also more likely to have academic qualifications and a greater awareness of research, and to participate actively in additional educational activities.
The findings of this pilot study indicate that the survey instrument may be able to identify nurse opinion leaders in a ward. However, doubts exist over the use of the instrument to identify opinion leaders nominated by enough nurses in the sample.
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