We are the champions, my friend! Key considerations in selecting and supporting champions to promote implementation in aged care

Introduction:
Champions are a well-recognized strategy for supporting the implementation of innovations in care settings, yet there is limited clear guidance to support their use in the particular context of aged care.

Aim:
This study aimed to identify key lessons for optimizing the use of champions as an implementation strategy in aged care settings.

Methods:
We conducted a secondary analysis of literature included in a recent scoping review on implementing innovations in aged care.

Results:
The individuals who acted as champions came from a variety of roles and disciplines. The functions performed by champions largely involved influencing others, as well as other activities such as facilitating, educating, enabling, and reinforcing implementation. Key characteristics of champions included being enthusiastic and well-regarded by others, as well as having empathy and appropriate skills and knowledge. Champions were reportedly challenged by resourcing issues such as high workload, staff turnover, and competing priorities. The support of leaders and peers, a clearly identified role, adequate training, and appropriate selection were identified as key to optimizing champions’ effectiveness.

Conclusions:
For champions to be an effective implementation strategy, the champions need to be carefully selected, appropriately trained, and well supported. These findings can inform approaches to optimize the use of champions for implementing innovations in aged care.