Using Diffusion of Innovation Theory to Encourage the Development of a Children's Health Collaborative: A Formative Evaluation

Abstract

Lack of access to medical treatment and preventive care affects children's immediate well-being and has potential consequences for their physical and mental health as adults. The study reported in this article was designed as the first step in planning and implementing a communitywide collaborative to work on improving medically underserved children's access to health care. The authors used a two-stage, census-based telephone survey to identify organizations that had contact with medically underserved children and to assess the status of the communication network among them. Although there was no evidence of a functioning network among the organizations surveyed, the results indicate that many organizations would participate in a network and suggest possibilities for developing an organizational network aimed at improving children's access to health care.

Beyond The Millennium Development Goals: An Evaluation Of The War On Hiv/aids In Kenya

“…Adoption is defined as the decision by individuals to fully integrate an innovation into their daily lives (Weigel, Hazen, Cegielski, & Hall, 2014). An innovation diffuses faster when the source of information is credible, the innovation is perceived as better than the prevailing ideas or in tandem with the societal values, and the diffusion can easily be tried before adoption (Barker, 2004;Farr & Ames, 2008).…”

“…The diffusion of innovations is perceived to be a social process that takes place through interaction among members of the society (Backer & Rogers, 1998). DOI as a theory, recognizes social systems as powerful in dissemination of innovations, especially in enabling members of the society to share information freely (Farr & Ames, 2008). DOI classifies people into innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards (Rogers, 2003).…”

“…DOI theory has been used to promote ideas, sell products, and influence societies and nations at large (Farr & Ames, 2008;Haider et al, 2005). According to Haider et al (2005), DOI postulates that societies are always resistant to change.…”

“…According to DOI theory, involving opinion leaders who have surmountable levels of trust in the community, helps to ensure that the target audience do not reject what the campaign advocates for from the start (Barker, 2004). Opinion leaders are found at different levels in the social system and are considered brokers of influence since they play an important role in persuasion, especially between groups (Farr & Ames, 2008).…”

The Impact Of Community-Based Training Outreach In Improving Water Quality, Health, And Sanitation In Kenya

“…Adoption focuses on the stages through which individuals pass to fully embrace an innovation to make it part of their day-to-day lives (Weigel, Hazen, Cegielski, & Hall, 2014). Credibility of the source of information, superiority of the innovation compared to existing ones, and its diffusion in the society determine the pace at which the innovation diffuses (Farr & Ames, 2008). Schumpeter (1930) defines innovations as any new ideas, methods, or products that provide solutions to new and existing needs of a specific market needs, in this case, water treatment procedures and products.…”