Willis et al in BMC Quality & Safety
http://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/early/2011/11/30/bmjqs-2011-000482.full
Reviewed by Josefien van Olmen
For those interested in complexity and those envisaging health system reform. The authors have done a narrative review to identify and appreciate tools from ‘system sience’ (hence ‘system tools’) that could facilitate processes of reform at health system level. They analyse four tools – concept mapping, social network analysis, systems dynamics modelling and marginal budgeting – and they show applications in reality – all from the high income countries. According to the authors the system tools have the advantage to build knowledge and skills to affect the ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ elements of change processes. Definitely a good addition to more linear ways of thinking proposed in many health systems strengthening strategies.
