Medicine and Health Care Essay

Von Bertalanffy (1972) suggested that organizations are systems that can be either simple or complex. Drack and Schwarz (2010) discussed the idea that general systems theory interdependently links systems with larger systems. Von Bertalanffy characterized educational institutions and other entities as systems. Suter et al. (2013) reported that the systems theory addresses complex, interdependent systems such as organizations, schools, or hospitals. Systems theory helps to explain the interrelation or linkage between entities (Shang & Wu, 2013). The

Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System (SRHS) is a magnet hospital located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Their mission is to “provide excellence in health” and their vision is to “become a national leader in health quality” (Spartanburg Regional Health Care System [SRHS], 2015). In the past, they have considered and implemented numerous changes and they continue to strive to make improvements that will successfully utilize evidence-based practice, further technological advances, and improve patient care (SRHS, 2015). While new change proposals can prove beneficial, change should occur gradually and is best promoted using a model or systematic framework such as Roger’s Diffusion of Innovations model. It is based on Lewin’s Change Model and includes Lewin’s three stages of “unfreezing, moving, and refreezing” (Kearney-Nunnery, 2012). Within the three stages, Rogers has incorporated “knowledge, persuasion, decision, implementation, and confirmation” (Kearney-Nunnery, 2012). Roger’s model is well-suited for change proposals stemming from evidence-based practice (Kearney-Nunnery, 2012). Therefore, Roger’s model is ideal for presenting one scientific change that SRHS should consider, which is the elimination or reduction of harmful bacteria in the surrounding environment through employee training, new policies and procedures, and structural/architectural changes within the hospital.

“Researchers now believe that most medical errors cannot be prevented by perfecting the technical work of individual doctors, nurses, or pharmacists. Improving patient safety often involves the coordinated efforts of multiple members of the health care team, who may adopt strategies from outside health care.”

Process improvement nurses may analyze research findings and medical evidence for potential application to clinical areas, practices and policies. They may assess systems barriers and facilitators to the adoption of evidence-based practices. They may design effective trial-and-error programs that allow hospitals to safely experiment with alterative to find the best methods. Their systems leadership responsibilities will involve the facilitation and provision of enterprise-wide systems. They ensure clinically competent care through staff education, role modeling, team building, quality monitoring and system level

As systems, theory encourages growth through recognising solutions to problems and identifying areas of improvement. There are many different roles within society that may apply these differently, for example; AJ did not feel that she held the power to make choices over her own life and the life of her unborn baby until she became empowered. Systems theory may not always be the best approach to take as different circumstance and situations can result in different outcomes through reflective practice and

One of the research questions the authors sought to answer was “What research methods and theoretical models are being applied by nurse researchers in this area?” (Anderson & Willson, 2008, p.151). The authors reported use of three different theories among the studies reviewed; the theories were Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation theory, Bandura’s Social Learning Theory and Feminist Theory (Anderson & Willson, 2008). A study on physicians’ acceptance of a pharmacokinetics-based clinical decision support system report different theories of social psychology, as Theory of Reasoned Action, by Azjen and Fishbein; Theory of Planned Behavior, by Ajzen; Rogers’ Innovation Diffusion Theory; Technology Acceptance Model, by Davis; and the Social Cognitive Theory of Bandura (Chang, Hwang, Hung & Li, 2007). The Theory of Reasoned Action proposes that an individuals’ behavior is determined by the intention to perform that behavior; the Theory of Planned Behavior is an extension of the previous described theory, and adds perceived behavior control as the determinant for the behavior intention; The Innovation Diffusion Theory tries to explain how new ideas spread throughout a society over

Systems thinking (ST), a subset of to complexity theory (CT), is a potentially transformational way to view and approach health. It draws on many academic traditions to describe the processes, actors, and dynamics that shape systems like the health system(1). It is more than simply considering the bigger picture. Approaching a problem from a ST perspective involves examining interrelationships, considering all perspectives, and understanding the role of boundaries (Williams and van ’t Hof 2014:8).

In my view I feel that the statement “system theories provide an exceptionally useful means of for understanding human behavior in many contexts” means that the system theory can not only be taught, but utilized in every day life to understand the different aspects of the way the human race acts and reacts in specific situations or every day life.

In the article Managing Change, Lorenzi and Riley discuss the effects of change on an organization’s dynamics, focusing mainly on established relationships and behavioral habits. In addition, simple yet effective methods of phase implementation are provided as a means to prevent feelings of “forced change” and reduce the likelihood of resistance when establishing health information systems.

Ludwig von Bertalanffy's systems theory was not created as a healthcare-specific theory, although Bertalanffy's concepts have been extremely influential in the medical field. Simply put, his theory is that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Von Bertalanffy was not a biologist but he believed that the biological principles of cellular organization could be applied to other systems. "A system is a complex of interacting elements. Von Bertalanffy also noted that they are open to, and interact with their environments. In addition, they can acquire qualitatively new properties through emergence, thus they are in a continual evolution. System thinking is both part-to-whole and whole-to-part thinking about making connections between the various elements so that they fit together in a whole" (Clark 2011). Systems theory is founded upon the "inescapable irreducibility of the interdependence that comes into play as a result of those interactions" (An outline of general system theory, 2008, Emergence: Complexity and Organization). For example, within the healthcare system, it is not enough for merely one aspect of the system to be functional. The system may have high-quality treatments, but if patients do not have access to care (because they live in rural areas, or lack insurance), the system is still dysfunctional.

Being able to successfully introduce and maintain a new idea is very significant in healthcare to improve the results. Rogers Diffusion of Innovation theory is a very crucial framework that can be used in a variety of settings. Diffusion theory provides a credible clarification of how some innovation are adopted and others are more problematic, even when there is data showing the benefits of the new idea (Sanson-Fisher, 2004). Rogers’s theory shows that some ideas may be adopted by the behavior of others, while other times it may entail more complex communication mechanisms and can be dependent on the social system at play. This model has recognized the crucial elements needed to establish change. As technology improves our communication venues become greater and distribution of ideas becomes faster. It is important to understand diffusion theory to better be able to strategically improve adoption and acceptance of new innovations (Chew, Grant and Tote,

As the clinical instructor for maternal/child at a small rural hospital, this writer has had the opportunity to watch a small rural hospital make great strides at putting EBP models in place. As mentioned in the first discussion thread the hospital is making efforts to achieve Magnet Status, It has been interesting seeing EBP put into place. As an educator, this writer often uses the verbiages of EBP to her students, and I was able to explain the poster displays that the hospital was using for the staff to see just what was taking place. Implementation of EBP is not just a one step process, but is a step-by-step process. The Diffusion of Innovations Theory identifies five steps to implementing change: Knowledge, persuasion, decision, implementation, and

Change and innovation are often hard concepts for individuals to open their minds to and accept. This is especially true when bringing them into a healthcare organization that consider their practices status quo. However, with the continuous metamorphosis of healthcare, new medical breakthroughs, and new evidence-base practice change and innovation are inevitable and status quo no longer feasible. The diffusion of innovation theory, recently expanded upon and made popular by Everett Rogers, discusses five stages of the adopting process and five factors that will help drive the success of a planned change (Huber, 2014; Kaminski, 2011). Roger’s theory focuses on how a new innovation is perceived by individuals or an organization, because it will

Health care is the field concerned with the maintenance or restoration of the health of the body or mind (Berger, 2008). Healthcare systems are progressively transitioning into one in which good evidence is available and used in order to stimulate operative performance by healthcare providers and organizations. Management by tradition is accompanied by management based on evidence. Extended government and foundation support for health services research, and the institutionalization of health services research as an occupation, reflect and reinforce this remarkable and necessary transformation of the health care system. The transformation is fueled by the realization that the status quo in health care management is not acceptable. Evidence of patient safety problems observed throughout the health care system, variation in quality of care, and health indicators that lag those of many other countries, all have contributed to the rise of health services research. Health services research has become an important tool in the promotion of change in the way that health care is managed (Wan, 2002).

The healthcare system and within the hospital structures are witnessing a significant change in the process of assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation and stabilization. Traditionally changes were seen and accustomed from policy initiatives and managed by the hospitals, but now many leading hospitals and management teams including nurses and physicians have realized that change is a very difficult and complex task, especially surrounding healthcare and patient care and safety. In this modern age especially, the healthcare organizations face an uncertainty and ambiguity caused by change every day (ANCC, 2008).