What is a common strategy to overcome staff resistance to a new protocol?

• A. Impose the protocol through mandatory compliance with penalties for non-compliance.
• B. Involve frontline staff in planning, provide education, and demonstrate benefits; address concerns; use change champions.
• C. Delay the rollout until all concerns are resolved.
• D. Replace staff who resist with new hires.

Answer: (B)

Overcoming staff resistance to a new protocol is best achieved by engaging those who will use it. When you involve frontline staff in planning, provide clear education about how the protocol works and why it improves patient care, demonstrate practical benefits, listen to concerns, and empower respected colleagues as change champions, you create ownership and reduce fear. This collaborative approach aligns the change with real workflows, allows adjustments based on feedback, and builds peer support for adoption. In contrast, imposing the protocol with penalties tends to provoke resistance and disengagement; delaying rollout until every concern is resolved stalls progress and signals indecision; and replacing staff who resist undermines morale and wastes valuable experience. Therefore, involving staff and leveraging champions with education and open dialogue is the most effective strategy.