176659 Systems thinking and public health

Wednesday, October 29, 2008: 9:00 AM

W. Michael Reid, PhD, MBA , Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Danielle C. Landis, PhD, MPH , Florida Center for Public Health Preparedness, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Use of the terms “public health system” and systems thinking has become commonplace in the public health literature and in many initiatives in public health regulation, education, planning, research, and management. This paper presents: an overview of systems thinking, a summary of several of its more prominent disciplines, examples of the use of the term in recent public health literature and practice, proposed or attempted applications in public health systems research, and a discussion of the specific organizational leadership discipline recommended by Peter Senge in The Fifth Discipline (Senge's work is often cited in the public health management literature). The paper will provide a critique of systems thinking (its value and its weaknesses) generally and of Senge's concepts in particular. It proposes an approach recommended by Ralph Stacey and others, complex responsive processes, as an alternative or complement to systems thinking. Stacey's approach seems more consistent with the day to day experiences of public health managers and empirical management studies and provides important insights into critical aspects of public health organizations, including power, ethics, communication, leadership, and organizational politics. The approach of Stacey and others has important implications for public health systems research.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this presentation, the participant will be able to: 1. Summarize the concept of systems thinking. 2. Describe the various uses of the term in recent public health literature. 3. List four applications of systems thinking in current public health practice. 4. Explain the significance to practice of Peter Senge’s concept of systems thinking. 5. Present the insights related to power, ethics, communication, leadership, and politics of Ralph Stacey’s concept of complex responsive processes.

Keywords: Leadership, Public Health Administration

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have extensive experience in public health systems, have published in related fields, and have conducted research in various aspects of publich health systems
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.