Conflict of Evidence Versus Conflict of Interest?

The purpose of this article is to outline an approach to managing change where conflict exists between the evidence that applies to one aspect of the change and that which applies to another. Evidence conflicts may arise between aspects of nursing care; the unit environment; the characteristics of the staff that must embrace, enact, and maintain the change; and the characteristics of the leaders who are expected to champion the change. Conflict resolution before implementation of the change project enhances the likelihood of successful and sustained change.

Keywords: Change, Change management, Project management, Conflicting evidence, Unit environment, Unit culture, Staff characteristics, Leadership characteristics, Evidence-based practice, Preterm infant, Development, Attachment, Parenting