THE CHANGE THEORY

Akinbode Godwin

Dec 11 7:36am

Reply from Akinbode Godwin

The Change Theory

The change theory is best represented by models like Lewin Change Theory (unfreezing, change and refreezing), or organizational change models that offer a stepwise system for transformation in healthcare. These models assume that change is dynamic, sequential and begins with the unfreezing stage where the organization recognizes the presence of problems, builds awareness and creating readiness to change (McEwen & Wills, 2022). The change phase involves implementation of new behaviors, processes, or interventions whereas the refreezing phase aims at stabilizing the innovations ensuring they become embedded into regular workflows (McEwen & Wills, 2022). Barrow & Annamaraju (2022) emphasizes the importance of focusing on human aspects, organizational culture, leadership support, resource distribution, and constant communication as the key success factors of successful change instead of the implementation of a single intervention or a directive.

The change theory is inherently inter-disciplinary and relies on the organizational psychology, behavioral science, management theory, and research in healthcare improvement. In nursing practice, it provides a more organized avenue of planning, implementation, and maintenance of evidence-based change. (Harrison et al., 2021) suggests that the use of planned change-management models in executing initiatives like discharge planning, adoption of telemedicine, redesign of the workflow, and quality improvement initiatives.

Practice Issue

Social isolation of adults with chronic disease is a complex practice problem within the modern context of healthcare. Chronic illnesses often result in exhaustion, limited mobility, disrupted social roles, and limited involvement in profitable activities all of which reduce social engagement prospects (Iovino et al., 2023). Long-term isolation is linked to declining mental health, reduced adherence to treatments, poor self-care behaviors, and elevated hospital readmission rates, which eventually affect the quality of life (Iovino et al., 2023). The clinical relevance of this issue is amplified because nurses regularly have to deal with patients who lack social support, low self-management skills, and coping resources. Isolation is a key issue that needs to be resolved, enhance chronic disease outcomes and facilitate patient-centered care that is holistic. Strategies that are evidence-based and theoretical should be used to establish vulnerable people and apply effective support systems. 

The Alignment of Change Theory with the Practice Issue

The change theory provides a theoretical framework to address the problem of social isolation in adults with chronic diseases on both an organizational basis and on an individual basis. During the unfreezing phase, healthcare groups determine the level of isolation, lack of self-management of symptoms, and high levels of readmission. This information helps nurses and interdisciplinary personnel to create awareness about the issue and foster a collective sense on importance of change. Amina et al. (2022) indicate that change within an organization stands a better chance of success when personnel feel ready, understands the worth of the interventions suggested and are involved at an early stage. The stage provides the platform of adopting new practices.

The change stage involves the organization commencing the implementation of systematic interventions, such as regular screening of the risk of social isolation, referral routes to community or social-prescription programs and incorporation of virtual peer groups or telehealth visits to alleviate transportation and mobility barriers. Amina et al. (2022) showed that social prescribing and virtual interaction opportunities immensely decrease loneliness and patient connectedness. Additionally, the inclusion of informal caregivers in the chronic-illness care planning offers the necessary emotional and functional. The change theory assists in these initiatives by making sure that new workflows, employee functions and patient engagement are continuously enhanced.

  

REFERENCES

Amina, A., Kassem, A., & Sleem, W. (2022). Applying Lewin's change management theory to improve patient's discharge plan.  Mansoura Nursing Journal,  9(2), 335-348. https://journals.ekb.eg/article_295591_2e01c440a7769101b9fd53066f06f65c.pdf

Barrow, J. M., & Annamaraju, P. (2022). Change Management In Health Care. In  StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459380/

Harrison, R., Fischer, S., Walpola, R. L., Chauhan, A., Babalola, T., Mears, S., & Le-Dao, H. (2021). Where Do Models for Change Management, Improvement and Implementation Meet? A Systematic Review of the Applications of Change Management Models in Healthcare.  Journal of healthcare leadership,  13, 85–108.  https://doi.org/10.2147/JHL.S289176Links to an external site.

Iovino, P., Vellone, E., Cedrone, N., & Riegel, B. (2023). A Middle-Range Theory of Social Isolation in Chronic Illness.  International journal of environmental research and public health,  20(6), 4940.  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064940Links to an external site.

McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2022).  Theoretical basis for nursing (6th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.