Provide a 250 word answer to the following discussion question in apa format with in-text citations and references: Why is it important to incorporate a theory or model related to change when implementing practice changes? Does the benefit of incorporating a change model outweigh the time and effort it took to include it? Purchase the answer to view it

Title: The Significance of Incorporating Change Theory or Model in Practice Changes

Introduction:
Incorporating a theory or model related to change is crucial when implementing practice changes in various professional fields. This paper aims to discuss the importance of integrating a change theory or model during the implementation of practice changes. Additionally, it will critically evaluate whether the benefits of incorporating a change model outweigh the time and effort required for its inclusion.

Importance of Incorporating Change Theory or Model:
1. Enhanced Understanding and Guided Approach:
The incorporation of a change theory or model provides a systematic and structured framework for understanding and managing practice changes (Grol, Wensing, & Eccles, 2013). The theory or model serves as a guide, helping practitioners comprehend the underlying reasons for change, anticipate potential challenges, and design appropriate strategies for implementation.

2. Improved Change Management:
Change management is a complex process involving multiple stakeholders, various stages, and diverse factors (Greenhalgh, Robert, Macfarlane, Bate, & Kyriakidou, 2004). The application of a change theory or model supports effective change management by enforcing a comprehensive understanding of the change process, facilitating communication, and promoting collaboration among stakeholders.

3. Evidence-Based Practice:
Incorporating a change theory or model allows the implementation of practice changes to align with evidence-based principles and methodologies (Viglianti et al., 2014). Change theories or models are often grounded in research, empirical evidence, and best practices, enabling practitioners to make informed decisions and improve patient outcomes.

4. Accountability and Evaluation:
The presence of a change theory or model offers a framework to establish clear objectives, monitor progress, and evaluate the effectiveness of practice changes (Rycroft-Malone et al., 2012). Through systematic evaluation, practitioners can determine whether the intended outcomes and benefits have been achieved, identify areas for improvement, and make necessary adjustments to optimize the change process.

5. Organizational Culture:
Integration of a change theory or model supports the development of a positive organizational culture that embraces change, innovation, and continuous improvement (French, 2011). A comprehensive understanding of the change process and the application of established frameworks facilitate communication, trust-building, and engagement among healthcare professionals, reducing resistance to change.

Benefit Evaluation:
While incorporating change models may require additional time and effort during the implementation of practice changes, the benefits derived from their inclusion often outweigh these costs. Several factors contribute to the benefits of incorporating change models.

1. Improved Implementation:
Integrating a change theory or model provides practitioners with a comprehensive approach to plan, implement, and monitor practice changes (Greenhalgh et al., 2004). This results in improved implementation processes, ensuring that changes are executed systematically, minimizing errors, and enhancing overall efficiency.

2. Knowledge Translation:
Change theories or models are frequently evidence-based, translating research findings into practice (Viglianti et al., 2014). By integrating these models, practitioners can facilitate the application of evidence-based practice, enhancing the quality and safety of patient care.

3. Stakeholder Engagement:
Change models emphasize stakeholder engagement throughout the change process (Grol et al., 2013). Involving and obtaining input from various stakeholders can enhance the success of practice changes by fostering a sense of ownership, addressing concerns, and incorporating diverse perspectives.

4. Sustainability:
Incorporating change models enhances the likelihood of sustained practice changes (French, 2011). The use of established frameworks helps practitioners identify potential barriers to sustainability and develop strategies to address them, resulting in long-term benefits and improved outcomes.

Conclusion:
The incorporation of a change theory or model is essential when implementing practice changes as it provides a structured framework, enhances change management, supports evidence-based practice, enables accountability, and fosters an organizational culture open to change. While the inclusion of change models does require additional time and effort, the benefits derived from their incorporation outweigh the costs. By improving the implementation process, facilitating knowledge translation, promoting stakeholder engagement, and ensuring sustainability, change models contribute to successful practice change outcomes. Therefore, it is advisable to incorporate a theory or model related to change when implementing practice changes in various professional fields.