Implementing strategic change in a health care system: the importance of leadership and change readiness.

Background: Shifts in the environment can compel health care organizations to change their strategies. However strategic change frequently fails because individuals do not adopt the behaviors necessary to successfully implement the new strategy.

Purpose: This study explores how three variables-agreement with new strategy, leaders' actions, and groups' general orientation toward change-can influence members of physician teams to take actions supporting a strategic shift aimed at improving patient satisfaction.