NUR 590 Week 4 Assignment Evidence-Based Practice Proposal – Section D: Change Model

The success of healthcare organizations is largely dependent on the manner in which evidence-based projects are implemented. It is evident that successful implementation of evidence-based projects in healthcare is largely influenced by active stakeholder involvement in the process. There is also the evidence that a change model should be utilized to ensure the success of the process. The model prepares the adopters for the change and ensures sustainability of the change. Therefore, this section of the research paper explores the change model that will be utilized to ensure the success of my evidence-based project.

The Selected Model and Its Relevance to My Project

The implementation of my evidence-based project will utilize transtheoretical model. Diclemente and Prochaska developed the transtheoretical model of change in the 1970 after observing the manner in which smokers quit their smoking habits. The model is suitable for the project because it provides a better understanding of the motives for individual change in behavior and factors that influence it. It also provides insights into the ways in which lifestyle and behavioral change can be promoted through the creation of awareness among the populations at risk. According to the model, behavioral change is not a sudden occurrence or process. It occurs in a series of steps and a cyclical process. As a result, it fits the proposed project, as it will guide sequential implementation of the change in my institution (Prochaska & Prochaska, 2016). Further, the cyclical nature of change implies that the implementers are able to apply different constructs and behavioral theories to ensure the success of the change, hence, its suitability for the project.

Stages of Change and their Applicability to the Project

According to the transtheoretical model of change, there exist six stages of change. They include precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and termination. Each of these stages is applicable to the evidence-practice project as discussed below.

Precontemplation

Precontemplation is the first stage of change in the transtheoretical model. The stage is characterized by the adopters not willing to take any action to change their situation. Their lack of willingness is attributed to their low level of awareness associated with their behaviors that are producing negative outcomes to their lives. As a result, they often underestimate the benefits of changing their behaviors and focus more on the disadvantages of changing their behaviors or lifestyles. This stage applies to the proposed change initiative. The African American patients with diabetes type 2 are not aware of the importance of adhering to their prescribed treatment. They do not understand that their lack or low adherence to treatment has adverse outcome on their health (De Chesnay & Anderson, 2019). Consequently, the hold strongly to misinformed information related to effective management of the disease.

Contemplation

This is the second stage in the transtheoretical model. The adopters of the change in this stage are willing to adopt the desired lifestyle and behavioral change. They are also aware about the negative consequences of their behaviors on their health. As a result, they begin exploring the practical solutions that can be adopted to change their circumstances. They also consider the benefits as well as risks of the need for behavioral change. Despite this awareness, they might be reluctant to embrace the desired changes for healthier lives (Hayden, 2017). This stage applies to the proposed intervention. The African American patients become aware of the negative consequences of poor adherence to recommended treatment. They begin to explore the available interventions that can be adopted to improve their adherence. However, ambivalence among them might still hinder the adoption of the desired lifestyle and behavioral modifications to increase their level of adherence to treatment.

Preparation

The adopters in this stage are willing to take action for their health problem within a shorter period (usually 30 days). They begin exploring small steps that will ensure that they successfully embrace the needed change. The steps help them in guiding the adoption of new healthy behaviors or lifestyles that will promote their health and wellbeing (Potter et al., 2016). This stage is also applicable to the proposed change. The adopters of the change are aware of the negative consequences of lack of or poor adherence to treatment. As a result, they take small steps that will promote their adherence in the end. The proposed intervention will be embraced by a majority of the population to achieve their desired health goals.

Action

The adopt

Order this paper