Behavioral change is essential in healthcare, especially with the influx of advances and technologies the promise to transform the system. But how should hospitals go about motivating change? BJ Fogg, PhD, a professor who studies behavioral change at Stanford (Calif.) University Stanford Persuasive Technology Lab, spoke to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation about what it takes to change:
1. Change is a long-term proposition. We have unrealistic ideas about how to change behavior. It's impossible to make major changes overnight and have them stick.
2. There are only two ways to achieve successful change. Either small steps or a changed environment will help people shift their habits.
3. Behavioral change requires three things: a trigger for change, a desire to change and the ability to change.
4. Small, fast rollouts can be informative. Rather than changing everything at once, launch change with a capable audience. If those equipped for change are struggling, those who are unprepared will never be able to achieve change. In addition, trying ideas that are not necessarily perfect may reveal a valuable tool: feedback, which may accelerate solutions.
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