This discussion forum will focus on the first step in program planning: assembling the change team.
1,Review the Process of Program Planning document posted in the Week 1 module. The objective of step 1 in the program planning process is to assemble a team of leaders, staff members and possibly healthcare consumers with the authority, expertise, credibility and motivation necessary to drive a successful change program.
2.Consider your workplace, or the workplace where you will complete your capstone project. Answer the following questions in your initial post:
a. Provide a brief description of the workplace, at the level where change will be instituted (ie. unit versus hospital)
b. Which individuals would you want on a team to investigate the need for change? It is not necessary to name individuals, but rather to list their job titles. What is your rationale for selecting these individuals? Do they fulfill any of the following team roles?
–Executive Sponsor –a senior leader with enough clout to implement new approaches
–Clinical or Technical Support-has expert knowledge of the relevant clinical subject matter or of the technology used
–Champion– Staff who are supportive of a change, and willing to mentor others to make change happen
–Front-line leader– Understands the impacts of making changes on processes used in the delivery of nursing and healthcare
c. Discuss the use of interdisciplinary change teams. Are they more or less impactful than those of one discipline? Please provide a rationale explaining your answer.
a. Workplace Description: In the context of program planning for a healthcare organization, let’s consider a hospital as the workplace where change will be instituted. The change may involve improving patient safety protocols.
b. Team Members and Rationale:
- Executive Sponsor:
- Rationale: An executive sponsor, such as the Chief Nursing Officer or Chief Medical Officer, is necessary to provide the authority and resources required for implementing change in a hospital setting. They can also rally support from other senior leaders and break down organizational barriers.
- Clinical or Technical Support:
- Rationale: In a hospital, clinical or technical support could be provided by experts such as senior nurses or healthcare technology specialists. These individuals possess the necessary expertise to assess current clinical practices or technology systems and recommend improvements.
- Champion:
- Rationale: Champions can be experienced nurses or healthcare professionals who are enthusiastic about the change. They can motivate their peers, act as role models, and provide valuable input based on their practical knowledge of the hospital’s daily operations. Their support can significantly influence the success of the change initiative.
- Front-line leader:
- Rationale: Front-line leaders, such as charge nurses or department heads, have a deep understanding of how changes impact the daily workflow of nurses and healthcare providers. Their input is critical for ensuring that changes are practical, sustainable, and aligned with the organization’s goals.
c. Interdisciplinary Change Teams vs. Single-Discipline Teams:
Interdisciplinary change teams are generally more impactful than single-discipline teams in a hospital setting for several reasons:
- Comprehensive Perspective: Healthcare is inherently multidisciplinary, and patient care involves collaboration among various professionals (e.g., nurses, physicians, pharmacists, technicians). An interdisciplinary team can bring together diverse viewpoints and expertise to develop a holistic understanding of the problem and potential solutions.
- Enhanced Problem-Solving: Complex healthcare issues often require a multifaceted approach. Interdisciplinary teams can brainstorm creative solutions, drawing from their varied backgrounds and experiences. This can lead to more innovative and effective solutions.
- Improved Implementation: Interdisciplinary teams can better address potential barriers to change by considering how changes will impact different departments and roles within the hospital. This can result in smoother implementation and reduced resistance.
- Better Patient-Centered Care: An interdisciplinary team is well-positioned to focus on improving patient outcomes and experiences, as it considers the full spectrum of care and services provided by the hospital.
- Collaboration and Communication: Interdisciplinary teams promote collaboration and communication among different departments and professions, fostering a culture of teamwork and shared responsibility.
In summary, while single-discipline teams can be effective in specific situations, healthcare change initiatives in a hospital setting often benefit from the inclusion of interdisciplinary teams due to the complexity of healthcare systems and the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing challenges and implementing improvements.