AMDA Foundation - Using Champions

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Vol XIX, Jul `06

Using Champions

Vol XIX, Jul `06

While there are multiple ways to engage nursing home staff, one of the most effective may be to identify an interested and effective leader to act as champion.

Whether you are performing research or want to translate research into practice, champions can:

Act as the initial contact
Help choose projects to pursue
Engage their peers
Build interest in the project
Maintain momentum
Disseminate findings

So how do you find a champion? Look to the existing leaders in the nursing home, and find
someone who is interested and motivated by the topic of your project.

Remember that leaders may not necessarily hold leadership positions; they may simply be
CNAs or other nursing staff members who are charismatic and well respected by their
peers—and, of course, interested in the topic.