What change theory will you use in your strategic plan? Provide a rationale of that choice and list what problems or difficulties may be anticipated based upon the theory in achieving your project goals. Provide an example of the theory applied in recent unanticipated event in your workplace or community organization.
For my strategic plan, I will use Lewin’s Change Theory due to its simplicity, practicality, and structured approach to implementing change in healthcare settings.
Rationale for Choosing Lewin’s Change Theory:
- Three-Stage Process:
- Unfreezing: Creates awareness of the need for change and addresses resistance by engaging stakeholders.
- Change/Transition: Involves implementing and supporting new practices or policies.
- Refreezing: Ensures the change becomes part of the organization’s culture through reinforcement and continuous evaluation.
This process aligns well with addressing practice gaps in healthcare, such as interdisciplinary collaboration or standardizing protocols.
- Focus on Human Behavior: The theory emphasizes understanding and managing resistance, which is critical in achieving buy-in from staff and stakeholders.
- Evidence of Effectiveness: The theory is widely used in nursing and healthcare, providing a proven framework for guiding organizational change.
Anticipated Problems/Difficulties:
- Resistance to Change:
- Staff may be reluctant to adopt new practices due to fear of increased workload or unfamiliarity with the new processes.
- Resistance can occur during the “Unfreezing” stage if the rationale for change is unclear or poorly communicated.
- Sustainability Issues:
- In the “Refreezing” stage, if there is insufficient follow-up or reinforcement, new practices might not be sustained.
- Resource Constraints:
- Lack of funding, time, or training resources can hinder progress during the “Change/Transition” stage.
Example of Lewin’s Theory in an Unanticipated Event:
Recently, my organization had to rapidly adopt telehealth due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Unfreezing:
- Staff were informed about the urgent need for telehealth due to patient safety concerns and government mandates.
- Training sessions and discussions highlighted the benefits of telehealth and addressed fears.
- Change:
- The IT department provided tools and training to implement telehealth.
- Staff tested the new system and provided feedback for immediate adjustments.
- Refreezing:
- Policies were updated to include telehealth as a standard option.
- Regular staff meetings ensured ongoing support and adaptation.
This application showed that while the change was initially resisted, clear communication and training minimized resistance, ensuring a smoother transition.
By applying Lewin’s Change Theory, my strategic plan can address resistance proactively, create structured implementation processes, and sustain improvements effectively.