Lewin’s Change Management Theory and Its Application in Clinical Settings

Lewin’s Change Management Theory and Its Application in Clinical Settings

The inefficiencies and frequent errors associated with paperwork in the paper-based system that our clinic practices simply cannot go unnoticed, pointing out the imperative need for a comprehensive reform initiative. In addition to adding time to the process, constant errors and time-consuming manual work posed a risk to the standard of patient care and the smooth operation of the medical facility. In view of this, I advocated for the implementation of a system of electronic health records in response to these challenges.

Lewin’s theory of change management is a three-stage foundational framework used in healthcare. These stages include unfreezing, changing, and refreezing. In the unfreezing stage, the current situation should be challenged to set an organization up for change. In my clinical setting, This involved establishing the inefficiencies of paper-based documentation, such as lost records or delays in accessing patient information, These were well-recognized problems, and the need for a more efficient system really set the stage for change.

The changing stage is a step into a new method, in this case, the implementation of an EHR system. In this step, training of staff takes place, workflows are changed, and there is the expectation of resistance. Guiding staff through the transition to the EHR system was done in the clinical area with supporting structures put in place to make adaptation easier. Overcoming resistance was important at this stage of the process since the staff may have shown reluctance to avoid their familiar practice (Barrow et al., 2020).

Lastly, refreezing is when the new system is finally solidified as the standard practice, as indicated by Barrow et al. (2020). In my clinical setting, the EHR system was rolled out for full integration into daily operations, accompanied by continuous support to ensure its practical use. This would involve routine updates, ongoing training, and feedback mechanisms in place that would reinforce these new processes. The maintenance and optimization of a system are important for long-term success and to not return to old customs.

By applying Lewin’s Change Management Theory to the implementation of an EHR system within the clinical area, each stage facilitated a smooth transition from an antiquated system to a much better, more efficient, modern way of taking care of patients and running the facility’s operations. If the process had not run smoothly, more training, enhanced communication, and provision of technical support would have enhanced the chances of successful implementation.

References

Barrow, J. M., Annamaraju, P., & Toney-Butler, T. J. (2020). Change Management. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459380/#:~:text=Lewin

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

We’ll write everything from scratch

Lewin’s Change Management Theory

Week 5 Discussion – Part 2
Directions:
Research change theories from scholarly literature resources. Choose a change theory and correlate the steps of the theory to a change that has occurred in your clinical area.
• Did the change follow the steps well?
• Was the change made successfully?
• If it did not go smoothly, how would you have improved the process?

Submission Details
In your discussion question response, provide a substantive response that illustrates a well-reasoned and
thoughtful response; is factually correct with relevant scholarly citations, references, and examples; and demonstrates a clear connection to the readings.