Volume 50 | Number 2 | April 2015

Abstract List

Ann Scheck McAlearney Sc.D., M.S., Jennifer L. Hefner Ph.D., M.P.H., Cynthia J. Sieck Ph.D., M.P.H., Timothy R. Huerta Ph.D., M.S.


Objective

To improve understanding of facilitators of system implementation, paying particular attention to opportunities to maximize physician adoption and effective deployment.


Data Sources/Study Setting

Primary data collected from 47 physician and 35 administrative key informants from six U.S. health care organizations identified because of purported success with implementation.


Study Design

We conducted interviews and focus groups in an extensive qualitative study.


Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Verbatim transcripts were analyzed both deductively and inductively using the constant comparative method.


Principal Findings

Conceptualizing adoption as loss through the lens of Kübler‐Ross's five stages of grief model may help individuals and organizations more effectively orient to the challenge of change. Coupled with Kotter's eight‐step change management framework, we offer a structure to facilitate organizations' movement through the implementation journey. Combining insights from these frameworks, we identify 10 strategies that can help address implementation barriers.


Conclusions

Loss is one part of change often overlooked. Addressing it directly and compassionately can potentially facilitate the implementation journey. We offer a summarized list of deployment strategies that are sensitive to these issues to support physician transition to new technologies that will bring value to clinical practice.