Change Theory in Computerized Physician Order Entry - Essay Example

"Change Theory in Computerized Physician Order Entry" is an engrossing example of a paper on the health system. Computerized Physician Order Entry is a process that entails the electronic entry of a medical practitioner’s instructions for the treatment of patients under his or her care. Computerized Physician Order Entry entails the communication of a medical practitioner’s instructions for treatment over a computer network to the medical staff or specific departments that bear the responsibility of fulfilling the instructions. Its application is essential as it reduces delays in the completion of orders, reduces human errors such as handwriting complications or transcripts while allowing for the entry of an order at the point-of-care or off-site (David et al, 1998). Computerized Physician Order Entry as well provides for checking of errors made such as duplicate or incorrect doses or tests while making inventory and positing for charges simpler. Change theory, on the other hand, denotes a model of change coined based on a given set of building blocks that are essential to ensure an organization attains a given long term change. In light of this, this paper seeks to identify a viable change theory that is ideal for application in an organization seeking to change its Computerized Physician Order Entry.

The Change Theory Selected

            The change theory I find the ideal for application in an organization seeking to change its Computerized Physician Order Entry is Kurt Lewin’s change theory. This theory views behavior as a dynamic balance of forces that work in opposing directions. It states that the personal characteristics of an individual coupled with the social situation that one finds oneself closely relates to an individual’s behavior. In this regard, Kurt Lewin’s change theory proposes a three-stage change model involving an unfreezing stage, a change state, and a refreezing stage. The vital concepts in this theory include the driving forces, which refer to the forces that compel the change, the restraining forces, which are the forces that oppose the change, and the equilibrium, which is the state where driving forces and restraining forces are equal (Kritsonis, 2005).

The reason for selecting this theory

            A Computerized Physician Order Entry influences behavior within the medical practitioners, medical staff and departments that interact with it. This is owing to the benefits that it accrues in regard to the efficacy of their work (David et al, 1998). In this regard, influencing a change to the Computerized Physician Order Entry entails changing the behavior associated with the utilization of the existing Computerized Physician Order Entry. Kurt Lewin’s change theory offers an ideal change model that entails breaking down the existing behavior, instilling a new behavior and ensuring that it makes part of the organization’s culture.

How to put the theory into practice

            Undertaking the unfreezing stage of the theory entails influencing the organization to let go of the old pattern of the Computerized Physician Order Entry. This is by identifying the factors that necessitate the change and sensitizing them to the organization. It is as well essential to identify the factors offering resistance to change and weaken them to create an ideal environment for change. The second stage of the theory entails initiating the change by introducing the new Computerized Physician Order Entry. Once the organization is abreast with the new Computerized Physician Order Entry, the third stage of the theory kicks in. This entails the institutionalization of the change and its outcomes by making it part of the organization’s culture. Effecting the refreezing stage of the theory requires that the change be made a habit within the organization by making it the standard operating procedure thus limiting the chances of the organization slipping back to the old system (Kritsonis, 2005).

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