Systems thinking (ST) is a concept to understand how a complex system (e.g. health management) functions as a whole by examining how the components (subsystems) of the entire system are connected and interact dynamically instead of as individual stakeholders.
Historically, ST was developed and used by various disciplines in the twentieth century to transfer methods across disciplines known as interdisciplinary (Peters, 2014). Multiple disciplines can collaborate about methods and conceptual frameworks in a transdisciplinary approach. ST does not reject traditional linear approaches but rather understands that diseases and illnesses are dynamic and caused by a multitude of factors (Leischow et al., 2008). Peters (2014) discusses the variety …show more content…
The transdisciplinary approach may be viewed as an epistemology of how new knowledge may be gathered, linked together, and shared (Leischow et al., 2008). The weakness of ST is interpreting what ST means and problems in applications as revealed in a study in Eastern Mediterranean countries by El-Jardali et al. (2014). The authors revealed that strong political support and a commitment by leadership to endorse ST is required to mitigate difficulties in applications (El-Jardali et al., 2014). Also, Atun (2012) describes challenges of understanding every aspect that may be impacted when applying new health policies due to numerous dimensions in the health system. Viewing the health system as a “whole” instead of separate building blocks may help build a stronger understanding of how change may impact the system (Atun, 2012, p. iv5). ST may be applied to highlight the processes and dynamics that occur in health management system, however, the practicality of applying ST is a challenge to reach solutions(Adam, 2014). Adam (2014) provides examples of how to apply ST in a variety of contexts, especially in low to middle-income
Historically, ST was developed and used by various disciplines in the twentieth century to transfer methods across disciplines known as interdisciplinary (Peters, 2014). Multiple disciplines can collaborate about methods and conceptual frameworks in a transdisciplinary approach. ST does not reject traditional linear approaches but rather understands that diseases and illnesses are dynamic and caused by a multitude of factors (Leischow et al., 2008). Peters (2014) discusses the variety …show more content…
The transdisciplinary approach may be viewed as an epistemology of how new knowledge may be gathered, linked together, and shared (Leischow et al., 2008). The weakness of ST is interpreting what ST means and problems in applications as revealed in a study in Eastern Mediterranean countries by El-Jardali et al. (2014). The authors revealed that strong political support and a commitment by leadership to endorse ST is required to mitigate difficulties in applications (El-Jardali et al., 2014). Also, Atun (2012) describes challenges of understanding every aspect that may be impacted when applying new health policies due to numerous dimensions in the health system. Viewing the health system as a “whole” instead of separate building blocks may help build a stronger understanding of how change may impact the system (Atun, 2012, p. iv5). ST may be applied to highlight the processes and dynamics that occur in health management system, however, the practicality of applying ST is a challenge to reach solutions(Adam, 2014). Adam (2014) provides examples of how to apply ST in a variety of contexts, especially in low to middle-income