Diffusion of innovation (DOI) is a sociological theory that is targeted at explaining how, when, and why a product or program spreads across a social system. It is also concerned with how ideas of innovation diffuse across a population (Daim et al., 2016). This theory can be used to solve modern issues, such as type 2 diabetes, which is the most common form of the disease diagnosed in many patients. It causes the blood sugar levels in an individual’s body to rise much higher than normal. Thus, diffusion of innovation is one of the theoretical approaches that can be used to solve this problem.
Purpose of the Program
The main purpose of the program is to identify why and how the rate of type 2 diabetes is prevalent. It aims at developing a better understanding of ways of preventing the disease and managing its effects. Besides, it is aimed at identifying some of the risk factors that can lead to an increase in the severity of the condition. Moreover, its central goal is to initiate a program that can be used to assist patients with type 2 diabetes in controlling the effects of the condition.
Target Population and Location of Program
The program is targeted at helping patients with diabetes manage the effects that accompany the disease. In this case, the target population is individuals with type 2 diabetes. The location will be some selected states in the United States, where the rates of the disease are high, including California and New York. Participants will be selected randomly to ensure credibility of the results.
Program Development
The program will utilize the diffusion of innovation model in its development. There are five main constructs of the theory, including innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards (Daim et al., 2016). Innovators are those who will be eager to be the first ones to try the innovation. It is targeted at people with type 2 diabetes seeking help to manage the disease. Early adopters are individuals who are ready to embrace the change that comes with innovation. These are the health professionals to be involved in the program. An early majority are the persons who will accept the innovation after a few other people have tried it. Consequently, the late majority are those who are skeptical about the program and would only adopt it if a majority of the population has used it (ÅžehbenderoÄŸlu, 2019). Lastly, there are also those who are rigid and conservative, hence, are less likely to accept the invention. The program has to cater to all these constructs of the population.
Determinants of the Program
Some of the determinants of health that the program will affect include income, socio-economic status, education and literacy, healthy behaviors, and lifestyle. Both the development and implementation of the program will require economic resources; hence income and socioeconomic status are important in ensuring the success of the innovation. Education and literacy will determine how the target population will view the invention and whether or not they will accept it (ÅžehbenderoÄŸlu, 2019). An illiterate person is less likely to adopt the technology as they do not have the technical know-how on how to use it or they do not realize its importance.
Methods Used to Implement the Program
The program will involve both personnel and technology to implement it. One of the most effective ways of implementing innovation is the use of technology. Most of the target population in contemporary society have access to technologies such as mobile phones and computers (Ward, 2015). Besides, health professionals will be involved in monitoring the effectiveness of the program and assisting the target population uses the innovation.
Results of the Program
The program is expected to help patients with type 2 diabetes to manage the effects of the disease. Positive feedback from the respondents will mean that the innovation is successful in achieving its set goals and objectives. On the contrary, if participants react negatively to the results’ inventions are negative, then it is an indication that the program is not effective.
Limitations of the Program
One of the limitations of the program is that it works better in managing and controlling risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes but not as effective as a prevention intervention. Besides, it is not suitable for people with little or no income; hence it discriminates against people with limited economic resources. Therefore, it is only effective for a selected target population, which means it could be unreliable.
Recommendations
The program is effective and will be successful if it is used in the desired manner. It is efficient in managing the effects of type 2 diabetes. However, the persons using it have to be educated on how to use the innovation and its importance in helping them manage the disease. The innovation should be adopted with the help of qualified health professionals and collaboration between patients and medical practitioners.
Conclusion
Diffusion of innovation is one of the most effective models of organizing programs meant to solve issues in society. It can be used to solve contemporary problems as it seeks to develop a new approach towards solving some of the social issues. Diabetes is one of the societal problems that contemporary society face. The innovation can be applied in assisting patients with type 2 diabetes manage the condition.
References
Daim, T. U., Behkami, N. A., Basoglu, N., Kök, O. M., & Hogaboam, L. (2016). Healthcare technology innovation adoption: Electronic health records and other emerging health information technology innovations. Springer.
ÅžehbenderoÄŸlu, Z. (2019). Predicting the adoption of wearable health tracking devices: An application of diffusion of innovation theory. SSRN Electronic Journal.
Ward, R. (2015). The application of technology acceptance and diffusion of innovation models in healthcare informatics. Health Policy and Technology, 2(4), 222–228.