Integrating systems thinking as a component of the MPH culminating experience

The Council for Education in Public Health specifies that MPH graduates demonstrate skills “to synthesize and integrate knowledge acquired in coursework and … apply theory and principles in a situation that approximates …professional practice.” As well, the Association of Schools of Public Health recently defined “systems thinking” as an essential cross-cutting competency for MPH programs. Blending these two strands, we developed five self-paced, Flash-based systems thinking instructional modules to support our MPH program's culminating experience. Module one introduces systems thinking concepts organized within a “Ladder of Engagement” framework that moves sequentially from focus on our ‘knowledge' of the dynamic behavior of a particular problem, to ‘understanding' what controls that behavior, to devising and assessing interventions to ‘influence' that behavior. Modules two through five focus on specific systems thinking tools: behavior over time graphs, stock and flow mapping, and reinforcing and balancing feedback loops. Each module was augmented by assignments focusing on the use of the respective tool and building a capacity to use the tools to sequentially address more challenging and insightful questions. Concurrently Department Chairs from each of the five core areas introduced the students to a specific health issue (asthma and absenteeism at a local middle school). Students worked in interdisciplinary teams to use their systems thinking toolbox to help synthesize an integrated intervention to the asthma and absenteeism issue. Finally, the student teams were challenged to use these tools to prepare a case study on another local public health issue.