Question

You are the new Chief Information Officer at a mid-sized community medical center. One of the many possible improvements that the CEO is discussing with you is the introduction of e-prescribing, that is, the transmission of prescriptions from doctors to pharmacies over a secure Internet network via computers or hand-held devices. While not resorting to stereotypes, the CEO expressed concern that some of the more senior physicians may be the hardest to involve in the change. What suggestions do you have for the CEO as to how to smooth this transition for senior physicians or other physicians reluctant to change their prescribing practices?

Answer 1

The only constant thing in the world is change.But it becomes very difficult to convince the people to bring about change and ensure their participation. In order to smooth the transition for senior physicians or other physicians reluctant to change their prescribing practices, following strategies can be used :

• Purpose should be made clear to bring about this change : Doctors should be given clear understanding of the purpose of this change. e-prescribing would save much of time and prevent any discrepancy which might occur due to misunderstanding of the hand written prescription.
• Communicate the purpose and method clearly to the physicians : The purpose of e-prescribing and method to carry out e-prescribing should be communicated properly to the physicians.
• Sufficient time to be given to physicians to bring about change : Sufficient time should be given to physicians to bring about changes and it should not happen instantly.
• Internal facilitator to bring about and ensure the change to be implemented should be there for the physician.
• Internal resistance and problems faced should be overcome : If there is any internal resistance from the physician and any problem is being faced by the physician , it should be overcome.