Resistance to change: the human dimension

In this article, the author will examine how change can affect individuals, both staff and patients, and how resistance to change can be managed to enable organisations to be successful. Support workers are at the forefront of change. Where there are any changes within an organisation, or of service delivery, support workers will be directly affected by it. They are the ones who will be closely involved in the implementation of the change and also the frontline staff who are left to manage the new situation or working practice. More importantly, patients and clients will be directly affected by any changes that occur. It is therefore important for support workers to have an understanding of how change is implemented and to recognise why people are resistant to it.