Question

As part of a team preparing for the implementation of a new electronic health records system, How can I use the five qualities outlined by Rogers (2003) to assist in preparing the nurses for the upcoming implementation.

Answer 1

Rogers Diffusion of innovation is a behavioral theory that describes the process the users goes through in the adoption or rejection of new ideas, practices, or technology. Main components of this theory are innovation, communication channels, time and social systems. Rogers suggests that there are five perceived attributes of an innovation that affect its uptake and use. These are:

Relative advantage whether an innovation is perceived as better than the idea it replaces;

Compatibility is the degree to which an innovation is perceived as congruous with the values, experiences, and needs of potential adopters

Complexity-whether an innovation is perceived as difficult to understand and use;

Trialability is the degree to which an innovation may be experimentally tested; and

Observability whether the results of an innovation are visible to others. (Rogers, 2003)

Stages of adoption that can be used to help the nurses:

Awareness – The nurses are exposed to the innovation so as to know some information about it.

Interest – The nurses becomes interested in the new idea and seeks additional information about it

Evaluation – The nurses mentally apply the innovation to his/her present and anticipated future situation, and then decides whether or not to try it

Trial – The nurses make full use of the innovation

Adoption – The nurses decide to continue the full use of the innovation.

Health care is rich in evidence based innovations, yet even such innovations are implemented successfully in one location, but it often disseminated slowly in other parts of world.