Health care professionals' readiness for an interprofessional orthogeriatric unit: A cross-sectional survey

An assessment of readiness for change can set the stage for the implementation by providing information regarding staff members' beliefs and attitudes prior to an organizational change. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to assess readiness for change (N = 113 employees) in a hospital on the verge of implementing an interprofessional, co-managed orthogeriatric unit. Staff members from three departments with roles related to orthogeriatric patients were invited to answer a web-based questionnaire. Our survey demonstrates that health care professionals are confident that interprofessional collaboration will be promoted by the implementation of orthogeriatric care. We found they were knowledgeable about the proposed orthogeriatric collaboration model and ready to engage in its implementation. Their concerns pertained to various practical aspects; those voiced by the nursing staff related to work strain and the work-related interests of their professional group whereas the physicians' reservations concentrated on the planning of the change. The exploration of readiness for organizational change among health care professionals offers managers an understanding of their motivations and concerns and provides a useful tool for the planning and implementation of a new interprofessional collaboration model.