ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Documenting standardized dental diagnostic terms represents an emerging change for how dentistry is practiced. We focused on a mid-sized dental group practice as it shifted to a policy of documenting patients' diagnoses using standardized terms in the electronic health record. METHODS: Kotter's change framework was translated into interview questions posed to the senior leadership in a mid-size dental group practice. In addition, quantitative content analyses were conducted on the written policies and forms before and after the implementation of standardized diagnosis documentation to assess the extent to which the forms and policies reflected the shift. Three reviewers analyzed the data individually and reached consensuses where needed. RESULTS: Kotter's guiding change framework explained the steps taken to 97 percent utilization rate of the Electronic Health Record and Dental Diagnostic Code. Of the 96 documents included in the forms and policy analysis, 31 documents were officially updated but only two added a diagnostic element. CONCLUSION: Change strategies established in the business literature hold utility for dental practices seeking diagnosis-centered care. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: A practice that shifts to a diagnosis-driven care philosophy would be best served by ensuring that the change process follows a leadership framework that is calibrated to the organization's culture.
ABSTRACT
This article reviews criteria for social workers' selection and use of standardized outcome measures for practice and research. Issues related to reliability and validity are discussed. The utility of standardized Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL) measures, either generic or disease specific, is presented utilizing one measure, the SF-36+ Social Work, as an exemplar. The article concludes that such measures are viable and necessary for social work to demonstrate its value-added qualities in the emerging healthcare environment.
