Compare two different change management theories or change models. Use peer-reviewed research articles to describe these concepts and provide examples of applications of these theories or models to practice.
Organization Development and Change
Cumming, T. G., & Worley, C. G. (2015). Organization development and change (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. ISBN-13: 9788131531679.
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Introduction:
Change management is a critical aspect of any organization, especially in the rapidly evolving field of healthcare. There are various theories and models that provide frameworks to understand and implement effective change processes. In this answer, we will compare two different change management theories or change models and discuss their applications in the medical practice.
Answer:
Two widely recognized change management theories/models in the field of healthcare are Lewin’s Change Management Model and Kotter’s Eight-Step Change Model.
Lewin’s Change Management Model:
Lewin’s model is one of the earliest and most influential change management theories. It is based on three stages: unfreezing, changing, and refreezing. The unfreezing stage involves creating awareness of the need for change and breaking down the existing mindset and structures. The changing stage involves introducing new processes, systems, or behaviors. Finally, the refreezing stage focuses on reinforcing and stabilizing the change to establish a new equilibrium.
An example of the application of Lewin’s model in medical practice could be implementing electronic health records (EHRs) in a hospital setting. In the unfreezing stage, the hospital leadership would communicate the benefits of EHRs to the staff, highlighting the need to move away from traditional paper-based records. In the changing stage, the hospital would introduce EHR systems, provide training, and establish new protocols for data entry and retrieval. Finally, in the refreezing stage, the hospital would reinforce the use of EHRs, monitor their effectiveness, and make adjustments as needed to ensure the sustained adoption of this change.
Kotter’s Eight-Step Change Model:
Kotter’s model provides a systematic approach to managing organizational change. It consists of eight steps that guide the change process, including creating a sense of urgency, forming a powerful coalition, developing a vision and strategy, communicating the vision, empowering others to act on the vision, planning for and creating short-term wins, consolidating improvements and producing more change, and institutionalizing new approaches.
An example of the application of Kotter’s model in medical practice could be transforming the culture of patient care in a healthcare organization. In the first step, the hospital leadership would create a sense of urgency by emphasizing the importance of patient-centered care and the need for immediate action. They would then form a powerful coalition of clinical and administrative leaders committed to this change. The vision and strategy for patient-centered care would be developed and communicated to all stakeholders, empowering them to act on the vision. Short-term wins, such as implementing specific patient-focused initiatives, would be planned and celebrated to build momentum. As improvements are consolidated, the new approaches to patient care would become institutionalized, ensuring their long-term sustainability.
In conclusion, both Lewin’s Change Management Model and Kotter’s Eight-Step Change Model provide valuable frameworks for understanding and implementing change in the medical practice. While Lewin’s model focuses on the three stages of change, Kotter’s model emphasizes the importance of creating a sense of urgency and building a coalition for change. By applying these theories/models, healthcare organizations can navigate change successfully and improve their ability to adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape.
