Source: http://www.ktp.utoronto.ca/events/archives/researchDigest/previousIssues/2005/research_digest005_2005.pdf (no longer online)

Articles:

1. Identifying educationally influential specialists: Issues arising from the use of "classic" criteria. Wright FC, Ryan DP, Dodge JE, Last LD, Law CHL, Smith AJ. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions 2004;24:213-226.
2. Role for opinion leaders in promoting evidence-based surgery. Young JM, Hollands MJ, Ward J, Holman CDJ. Archives of Surgery 2003;138:785-791.

Summary:

Wright et al. report on their identification of educationally influential physicians (EIPs), also known as opinion leaders (OLs), among a population-based cohort of surgeons and pathologists in Ontario. Using a survey modeled on the Hiss method, they identified 'general' EIPs and surgery and pathology EIPs for colorectal cancer (CRC). They also identified ?domain? experts, individuals whose advice was valued in CRC but who did not meet all of the Hiss criteria. The process of identifying EIPs was labour intensive, varying numbers of EIPs were identified when different techniques were used, a greater number of domain experts was identified than EIPs, and EIPs for CRC included both experts who exerted influence over a wide geographic region and local practitioners. The authors note that while they identified EIPs among specialist physicians using the Hiss method, these traditional criteria used in a general practitioner population may not be most appropriate for specialist physicians. Young et al. surveyed Australian surgeons to examine their concept of opinion leaders. Most respondents were not able to identify a local colleague as an OL in their specialty or in surgery in general, yet were more able to identify opinion leaders with a national profile. Surgical expertise and teaching skills were highly rated OL attributes, and Hiss criteria relating to personal attributes were the third highest ranked group of items. Respondents support the concept of OL and would consult a known colleague when they have a problem but the role of a local colleague in providing unsolicited support is uncertain. Further clarification of the different roles of local and national OLs is needed.

Implications:

• The concepts of OLs and EIPs require further clarification - by specialty (e.g. surgery vs. family medicine), by geographic representation (local vs. national), and by role (e.g. teaching).
• Other questions to consider: are OLs and EIPs the same? What roles do formal positions (e.g. chief of surgery) play in the process?

Further reading:

• Pereles L, Lockyer J, Ryan D, Davis D, Spivak B, Robinson B. The use of the opinion leader in continuing medical education. Medical Teacher 2003;25(4):438-441.
• Read more in: Educationally influential physicians: the need for construct validation. Ryan DP, Marlow B, Fisher R. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions 2002;22(3):160-169.
• Search the RDRB (Research & Development Resource Base) for more articles - available at no cost online at http://rdrb.utoronto.ca. Some keywords to use: opinion leader