title: Said another way: subject matter experts: facts or fiction?
abstract: Subject matter experts (SMEs) can be valuable resources, but there are no standards or criteria for their selection. The temptation to assert one's self as an SME in the absence of actual expertise is great. As a consumer, where does one turn, how does one know who to believe, and where does one place trust? What constitutes an SME is explored using two methods of how SMEs are developed. The reader is guided through finding, selecting, and validating an SME. The identification of some obstacles in using SMEs is also addressed. The question, "Is your subject matter expert really an expert?" is answered.
authors.affiliation: Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response, Administration for Children and Families, Washington, DC, USA. rlavin10@mac.com
authors.forename: Roberta P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Lavin
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dreyfus
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Slepski
authors.forename: Christine E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Kasper
mesh_terms: D004522:Educational Status; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D019359:Knowledge; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010560:Personnel Selection; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards; D024382:Professional Role / Q000523:psychology; D013663:Teaching; D035502:Trust