Roger’s diffusion theory
Rogers, E. M. Diffusion of Innovation (5th Edition ed.). Simon and Schuster.
This source explains about diffusion of innovation theory. Diffusion of Innovation Theory was historically discussed in the year 1903 by Gabriel Tarde who was a French sociologist who drew the first S-shaped curves of diffusion then later Gross and Ryan in the year 1943 introduced adopter groups that are being used in the present theory which Everett Rogers had popularized. In the 1957, Katz introduced the idea of opinion followers and opinion leaders and how the media is involved in the interaction of the two groups. The source continues to explain thet diffusion of Innovation theory has been regarded as an important model of change for leading the innovations of technology where the innovations are modified and offered in a manner that is able to meet the demands of every level of its adopter.
Keele, R. Nursing Research and Evidence-based Practice. London: Jones & Barlett Publishers.
This book source tries to link the theory with the current nursing practice. Diffusion of innovation can be defined as the process that takes place when people adopt new products, philosophy, ideas, practices, and so on. Rogers stressed that in many instances, at the initial stages only a few people are open to a new idea and few use it. As the innovators talk about it, more and more individuals adopt the product or the idea which results to the creation of critical masses. The source explains that after a certain period of time, the innovative product or idea becomes diffused to the population until a point of saturation is achieved. Rogers described five groups of innovation adopter which includes the laggard, late majority, early majority, early adopters and the innovators and sometimes the group of non-adopters has been added as the sixth categories.
The Roger’s diffusion of innovation theory led to the infusion of educational training and the implementation of Magis care model in a hospital in Chicago that has 570 beds according to the source. The Magis care model was developed from nursing theories and the information that was acquired from the Family-Centered Care Institute. By following the components that are related to the values and the theme of magnet of the institution, the innovation’s stages were adopted and continued to be sustained over the first year after its implementation. What has been so stimulating to the administration of nursing is the hearing of how the staff in nursing articulates the care that they offer to the components of the Magis model of care and the theory that is supporting this practice.
Valentine, T. W. (1995). Network Models of the diffusion of innovations. University of Michigan: Hampton Press.
In the innovation diffusion process, Rogers noted that the unintended results of an innovation are least studied and this is also the case in the current nursing practice according to the above source. Unanticipated, unintended and undesirable results include the constraints and the adverse events that have not been foreseen and impacts in the efficiency and effectiveness of the system. It is expected that after an innovation is adopted, such as high efficiency and effectiveness will follow without considering the consequences of adopting an innovation.
Several nursing studies have used the diffusion theory to study the adoption and diffusion of systems of health information. Ford et al. concluded that the development of computerized provider order entry systems that are easily integrated and user friendly to the legacy of hospital system is more probable to achieve an adoption that is widespread.
However, there are very few studies that have been carried out to give a measure of the unintentional consequences that relate to implementation of the computerized provider order entry systems. An exception is the study that was carried out by Ash et al that reported security concerns and reporting errors as well as some issues that relate to workflow, interpersonal relationships, alerts and ergonomics. The frame work of the diffusion of innovation theory is very useful in analyzing the consequences and effects of implementing clinical systems that are complex.
Bertalanffy’s system theory
Ziegler, S. M. (2005). Theory-Directed Nursing Practice. Springer Publishing Company.
This source explains the systems theory developed in the 1930’s. The world that we are living in is a complex system that is composed of subsystems which interact with each other within boundaries that are clearly defined and dynamics that are coherent. Ludwig von Bertalanffy who is a biologist developed the Systems Theory in the 1930s so as to simplify the complexity of the world to the human being’s mind and as a result make it more understandable and comprehensive. Development of the Theory came about as a result of Bertalanffy’s perceived necessity for a theory that would be used to guide researcher in their work. The theory assisted in providing a framework that was used to create a common and a shared language that the scientists would use to communicate what they had found out in the various disciplines. System theory is very useful in understanding of how the things around us work.
Crain, W. C. (2005). Concepts and applications. Theories of development .
This source gives an explanation regarding the various subsystems. Systems theory views the world as a system that is composed of small subsystems. Systems are used in on a daily basis by humanity to explain the phenomena of life. An example is a hospital as a system that has outputs, processes and inputs. The hospital is a small component of a bigger system, the health care system. The banking system, the judicial system, the educational system, the healthcare system and others are the components of the social-economic-political system whereby human beings live. A system can be defined as a collection of elements that are independent though interrelated or components that have been organized in significant manner in order to attain an overall objective. The purpose of any system is to process or convert material, information or energy into outcomes or products that can be used within or outside a system.
Bertalanffy, L. V. (2003). General System Theory:Foundation, Development, Applications (Revised edition ed.). Braziller.
This source explains the concepts of system theory. The principles and concepts of System theory can be used to explain and understand the hospitals, the nursing practice and their operations. A hospital can be described as a medical facility that has professional and organized staff and available beds for the hospitalization of the patients who are formally admitted to the hospital for medical diagnosis, care, observation, non-surgical and surgical treatment. Hospitals can be viewed as open systems which are in constant interaction with the environment in order to complete the necessary functions of the system.
Since hospitals contain several subsystems which include the nursing services, radiology department, food services, laboratory department, housekeeping, laundry and so on can be said to be a complex system and each of the subsystems can be viewed as systems of their own. Hospital systems comprise of patterns that exhibit relationships that are organized and the different parts of the system have a relationship to each other in a particular manner. Organization charts and structures form the graphical representation of the relationships. The hospital rules, bylaws, procedures and policies are put in place in order to regulate the relationships. Hospitals can be said to subsystems within the overall system of health care of a nation.
Strategies used in acquiring the information
The search strategies that were used to acquire information on the specified theories included the various books that contained the information on these theories. The books have given clear description on the diffusion of innovation theory and how it is related to the current nursing practice in order to ensure safety for patients. Books were also used to check the current situation of the nursing practice currently which reveals that in most cases the nursing practice has highly improved. Consultation with a few nurses also helped to get the relationship between the theories and the current nursing practice. The nurses gave a clear explanation on how the theories are currently used in the practice of nursing. The internet was also utilized to acquire information on the history of the Roger’s diffusion theory and the Bertalanffy’s system theory. The internet explains how these two theories have assisted nurses in the hospitals in order to meet the needs of the patients.
References
Bertalanffy, L. V. (2003). General System Theory:Foundation, Development, Applications (Revised edition ed.). Braziller.
Crain, W. C. (2005). Concepts and applications. Theories of development .
Keele, R. Nursing Research and Evidence-based Practice. London: Jones & Barlett Publishers.
Rogers, E. M. Diffusion of Innovation (5th Edition ed.). Simon and Schuster.
Valentine, T. W. (1995). Network Models of the diffusion of innovations. University of Michigan: Hampton Press.
Ziegler, S. M. (2005). Theory-Directed Nursing Practice. Springer Publishing Company.
