Read a selection of your colleagues’ blog posts and respond to two of your colleagues by expanding upon their responses or sharing additional or alternative perspectives.
PEER #1
Elycia Victoria Hernandez
Change Champions and Opinion Leaders play distinct roles in organizational change especially in healthcare settings. Change champions are individuals who actively promote and drive change within an organization. They are passionate advocates who work to overcome resistance, build support, and implement new processes or practices. Change champions are typically involved directly in the change process, often taking on leadership roles within project teams. They may not necessarily hold formal leadership positions but have the positive attitude, commitment, and influence to inspire others to embrace change (Greenhalgh et al., 2004). This can be seen when nurse in a psychiatric hospital advocates for the adoption of a new electronic health record system. This nurse attends training sessions helps colleagues understand the benefits and aids them in troubleshooting issues with the new system.
Opinion Leaders, on the other hand, are individuals who hold considerable influence within a group due to their expertise, credibility, or social standing. They may not actively drive change but can significantly affect the attitudes and behaviors of others through their endorsement or opposition. Opinion leaders are often respected professionals whose opinions are trusted by their peers (Flodgren et al., 2011). For example, a senior psychiatrist in a psychiatric hospital who endorses the new EHR system during departmental meetings by citing evidence from research and personal experience. Their support can sway other clinicians to accept and use the new system.
Differences
Role in change process is when change champions actively engage in implementing change, whereas opinion leaders influence attitudes and behaviors towards the change (Greenhalgh et al., 2004; Flodgren et al., 2011). Change champions are also deeply involved in the change process and often are on the front lines while opinion leaders may participate more afar but have considerable influence through their reputation and credibility (Damschroder et al., 2009). Change champions are driven by a strong commitment to the change itself while opinion leaders use their authority and respect within the organization to shape opinions (Greenhalgh et al., 2004).
Human Resources Necessary to Support Proposed Practice Changes
Implementing an integrated care model in a psychiatric setting takes a coordinated effort from various human resources:
- Inter-professional Team:
Physician: To oversee medical implications and ensure patient safety.
Nursing Manager: To manage the implementation process, train staff, and monitor outcomes.