Understanding Medical Systems

Abstract

Letters1 November 1998Understanding Medical SystemsJohn C. Peirce, MD, MA, MSJohn C. Peirce, MD, MA, MSGood Samaritan Regional Medical Center; Phoenix, AZ 85006Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-129-9-199811010-00034 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Nolan [1] argues the importance, if not necessity, of understanding medical systems for improving health care. However, he fails to mention a key characteristic of a successful system, that of learning and adapting to environmental change through innovation. These attributes are essential if we are to achieve our purposes (his principle 1) of reducing waste, error, and unneeded variation and improving outcomes of care. This is at the core of complex adaptive systems based on chaos and complexity theory [2, 3]. I like viewing our system of medical care as a biological system rather than as a ...References1. Nolan TW. Understanding medical systems. Ann Intern Med. 1998; 128:293-8. Google Scholar2. Stacey RD. Complexity and Creativity in Organization. San Francisco: Berret-Koehler; 1996. Google Scholar3. Casti JL. Would-be Worlds: How Simulation Is Changing the Frontiers of Science. New York: J Wiley; 1997. Google Scholar4. Zuckerman HS, Hilberman DW, Andersen RM, Burns LR, Alexander JA, Torrens P. Physicians and organizations: strange bedfellows or a marriage made in heaven? Frontiers of Health Services Management. 1998; 14:3-34. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: John C. Peirce, MD, MA, MSAffiliations: Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center; Phoenix, AZ 85006 PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited by1,2,5-Thiadiazoles 1 November 1998Volume 129, Issue 9 Page: 753-754 Keywords Brain Complex systems Emergency medicine Health care Neuropsychological testing Population statistics Primary care physicians Systems biology ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 1 November 1998 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1998 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...