A workshop to develop practical skills for shaping a complex, connected and ever-changing health system.
Health systems are amongst the most complex that people have to deal with. Not only are health and health care complex and dynamic areas in its own right, with multiple stakeholders including individuals, families, communities, businesses, voluntary organisations and government, but also they are embedded in a network of wider systems such as social care, education, employment, justice and the physical environment. It is being increasingly recognised (including by the WHO in a recent report which states “ systems thinking has a huge and untapped potential, first in deciphering the complexity of an entire health system, and then in applying this understanding to design and evaluate interventions” ) that systems thinking provides an accessible yet powerful way to navigate this maze.
This one-day workshop will develop participants’ practical skills for systems thinking in health and care. By the end of the workshop participants should be better able to:
- Understand key systems concepts such as the difference between static and dynamic thinking, tree-by-tree and forest thinking, and straight-line and closed-loop thinking
- Map the components and interconnections of a health system
- Appreciate the value of systems thinking approaches when time and data are in short supply or problems are ill-defined
- Know when (and when not) to use systems modelling and behavioural simulation approaches
- Understand the role of social and other networks in health
- Understand how to achieve large impacts with small inputs and to make effective interventions in complex dynamic situations
The workshop is aimed at introducing systems thinking approaches to health and other professionals (i.e. it is not a technical course for analysts and modellers) and is relevant to all those dealing with complex and inter-connected issues in health care i.e. a wide range of NHS, Local Authority, private and voluntary sector staff including doctors, nurses, managers and community and public health specialists.
The workshop will comprise a mix of short presentations and group exercises for a practical “learning by doing” approach. It will be led by an accomplished presenter and facilitator with extensive experience in health systems thinking and modelling.
If you would like any further information please contact Marion Deacon on marion.deacon@phast.org.uk.
NOTE - PRICE INCLUDES VAT
Please register your interest to attend this course at this time - fees and available dates to be advised shortly.
