From Resistance to Attraction: A Different Approach to Change. (Positively Influencing Physicians)‪.‬

PHYSICIANS AND OTHER health professionals are bombarded daily by those who would influence their actions. Guidelines, education sessions, academic detailing, and quality improvement projects are but a few of the diverse approaches employed. Many methods of behavior change tend towards the coercive--at least that is how others experience them. Further, most of these efforts have been only marginally successful, with hard-won advances often followed by rapid reversions to old systems and habits. (1) The study of complex adaptive systems in nature and its application to organizations is providing insight into how change occurs In human systems. (2-6) A key finding is that change is occurring naturally within the existing system. For example, a forest naturally spreads, old growth dies away and new growth springs up in an ever-changing, complex milieu. This is also true of a health care organization or clinical office. What physician practices medicine in the exact same way she or he did ten years ago? Five years ago? A year ago? The next time you face "resistance to change," talk with those you are trying to influence and you may find that they have naturally adopted many new procedures, medications, systems, and technologies.