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A Mixed Methods Study of Organizational Readiness for Change and Leadership During a Training Initiative Within Community Mental Health Clinics

Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research volume 46, pages 678–687 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

This longitudinal mixed-methods study explored variation in organizational readiness for change and leadership behavior across seven organizations during a 12-month training initiative in person-centered care planning. Quantitative data was used to examine trajectories of organizational readiness for change and leadership behavior over time and qualitative data explored provider perspectives on the trajectory of these organizational factors during the 12-month training initiative. Findings indicated that levels of organizational readiness for change and leadership behavior varied across clinics, but most experienced a significant positive change at the mid-point of the training. Organizational readiness for change was positively correlated with leaderships behaviors across time. Provider focus group findings gave insight into their initial resistance to adopting the new practice and their increasing receptivity in the second 6 months due to increased understanding of the practice and leadership endorsement. Increasing provider openness to a new practice prior to training and having a consistently engaged leadership have the potential to improve the efficiency of a training initiative.

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Funding

This research was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Grant No. R01MH099012. The content is the sole responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the official views of NIMH.

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Affiliations

  1. Silver School of Social Work, New York University, 1 Washington Square North, New York, NY, 10003, USA

    Victoria Stanhope, Mimi Choy-Brown & Lauren Jessell

  2. Graduate School of Social Service, Fordham University, New York, USA

    Abigail Ross

  3. School of Social Work, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA

    Mimi Choy-Brown

Authors
  1. Victoria Stanhope
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  2. Abigail Ross
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  4. Lauren Jessell
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Correspondence to Victoria Stanhope.

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Stanhope, V., Ross, A., Choy-Brown, M. et al. A Mixed Methods Study of Organizational Readiness for Change and Leadership During a Training Initiative Within Community Mental Health Clinics. Adm Policy Ment Health 46, 678–687 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-019-00946-x

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Keywords

  • Organizational factors
  • Leadership
  • Workforce training
  • Organizational readiness for change
  • Mental health services