WHAT IS NURSING

INFORMATICS?
THEORIES IN NURSING INFORMATICS

A.Change Theories
- Computerization of information system involves
change, moving from paper-based environment
to a completely paperless environment. It can be
minor change depending on the maturity of the
previous system, most importantly the users of
the information system.
- Change may be UNPLANNED or PLANNED.
(Thede, 2003).
THEORIES IN NURSING INFORMATICS

1. Rogers Diffusion of Innovation Theory

(Unplanned Change)
- examines the pattern of acceptance that
innovations follow as they spread across the
population of people who adopt it.
- Adopters are divided into 5 categories:
Innovators (2.5%)
Early Adopters (13.5%)
Early Majority (34%)
Late Majority (34%)
Laggards (16%)
THEORIES IN NURSING INFORMATICS

Innovators (2.5%)
- Readily adopt the innovation
- Often seen as troublesome
- Are not able to sell others on the innovation

Early Adopters (13.5%)

- Are respectable opinion leaders who act as
promoters for the innovation.

Early Majority (34%)

- Are averse to risk of the innovation, but are
willing to make safe investments.
THEORIES IN NURSING INFORMATICS

Late Majority (34%)

- Adopts innovation because of peer pressure,
not because they see the use for the
innovation.

Laggards (16%)
- Are suspicious about innovation and change
- Are very stubborn.
- May grasp those weaknesses that others
have failed to recognize.
THEORIES IN NURSING INFORMATICS

2. Lewins Change Theory (Planned Change)

- Describes the processes that occur in a planned
change into three stages:
Unfreezing
Moving
Refreezing
THEORIES IN NURSING INFORMATICS

Unfreezing

- Making use of processes that reinforces an

individuals involvement in the change, having
their opinions respected and with continuous
communication during the process while
reducing forces that restrains the same
individual from committing himself to the
process such as psychological defenses or
group norms.
THEORIES IN NURSING INFORMATICS

Moving

- Planned change is implemented where

anxieties are high that has to be dealt with
- To be successful, the process should be
heavily supported by the administration.
- Users should be involved so that the system
serves them rather that creating more work
for them.
- The new system should be well tested prior to
implementation, and users be provided with
adequate training.
THEORIES IN NURSING INFORMATICS

Refreezing

- The planned change becomes the norm.

- The users should be made to feel confident
with the change and the feel in control of the
new process.
- A help system or support group should be
made available to provide answers to their
needs.