Why is systems thinking needed?

Studies have shown that variations in clinical practice often lead to suboptimal care, especially when clinicians deviate from evidence-based practice guidelines. Implementation science addresses the gaps between the interventions that research have shown to be effective and the dissemination and delivery of those interventions into practice. 

What is Systems Thinking?

It is a paradigm or perspective that considers connections among different components, plans for the implications of their interaction, and requires transdisciplinary thinking as well as active engagement of those who have a stake in the outcome to govern the course of change.

Leischow SJ, Milstein B. 2006.

A set of elements or parts that is coherently organized and interconnected in a pattern or structure that produces a characteristic set of behaviours, often classified as its “function” or “purpose””.

Meadows DH. 2008.

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How does systems thinking fit into CME/CE and QI?

CME/CE providers must apply principles of systems thinking when developing team-based interprofessional educational activities. Health care is a complex adaptive system and clinicians must understand the connections, relationships, and dynamics of different components that impact patient outcomes. The application of systems thinking becomes a crucial framework for achieving sustainable systems-level quality improvements.

CME = continuing medical education
CE= continuing education
​QI = quality improvement

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​Q Synthesis LLC advances interprofessional collaborative practice by applying principles of systems thinking, implementation science, and health services research

Contact Us

Q Synthesis LLC
13 Summit Square Ctr #143
Langhorne, PA 19047
Phone: (215) 867-9122
Fax: (888) 409-9721
​Email: [email protected]

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