Applied Systems Thinking for Health Systems Research: a Methodological Handbook

Part 1: Introduction

Chapter 1: What is system thinking and what methods are needed?

Part 2: Systems thinking methods for health systems research

Chapter 2: Causal Loops
Chapter 3: Network analysis
Chapter 4: Cynefin
Chapter 5: Outcome Mapping
Chapter 6: Critical systems heuristics
Chapter 7: CDE Model of Complex Adaptive Systems
Chapter 8: Dialectical methods of inquiry
Chapter 9: Soft systems methodology
Chapter 10: Scenario Technique
Chapter 11: Activity systems

Part 3: Mapping health systems issues to systems thinking methods

Index

Patient safety in health systems has become more and more important as a theme in health research, and so it is not surprising to see a growing interest in applying systems thinking to healthcare. However there is a difficulty – health systems are very complex and constantly adapting to respond to core drivers and fit needs. How do you apply systems thinking in this situation, and what methods are available? National health authorities, international donors and research practitioners need to know the “how-to” of conducting health systems research from a systems thinking perspective.

This book will fill this gap and provide a range of tools that give clear guidance of ways to carry out systems thinking in health. These methodologies include:

• System dynamics and causal loops
• Network analysis
• Outcome mapping
• Soft systems methodology

Written by an international team of experts in health research, this handbook will be essential reading for those working in or researching public health, health policy, health systems, global health, service improvement and innovation in practice.