The Article in Brief

Background: This study looked at how Primary Care Groups (clusters of general practices in the United Kingdom) encouraged innovation and change in their organizations.
What This Study Found: Five features increase the ability of Primary Care Groups to innovate and change: (1) clear organizational structures and rules, and leadership that wants the organization to learn and change; (2) opportunities for people at all levels of the organization to reflect and learn, and sharing of what is learned, so that innovative thinking in one part of the organization can be built on elsewhere; (3) medical professionals and managers in leadership roles and encouragement of participation; (4) a change initiative at the right time and tailored to the needs of the local group; and (5) instructors/leaders from outside the organization, who can be useful if they help people make sense of their experiences and guide them in achieving their change plans.
Implications:
• When combined, these features may support innovation in health care organizations.
• Primary care organizations can increase their ability to learn when people from different backgrounds develop innovative interpretations of new information.