Organizational change management in mental health.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss change management as applicable to mental health.


CONCLUSIONS
As mental health care grows increasingly complex, and the network of accountability widens, change is both inevitable and necessary. Strategies to introduce change effectively are essential. Resistance by medical staff to change often has a sound basis and must be acknowledged and explored. Change in clinical systems and practice is facilitated by careful planning and preparation, and by engaging clinicians in all phases of the change process; change will fail if this is not achieved. A number of management models facilitate the understanding and process of change.
Callaly
Tom
T
Community and Mental Health, Barwon Health, Geelong, Vic., Australia. thomas@barwonhealth.org.au
Arya
Dinesh
D
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008330:Management Audit / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D015279:Organizational Culture; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration; D010934:Planning Techniques; D011216:Practice Management, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000379:methods; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration