Authors
Agnes Grudniewicz, Tim Tenbensel, Jenna M Evans, Carolyn Steele Gray, G Ross Baker, Walter P Wodchis
Publication date
2018/2/1
Journal
Social science & medicine
Volume
198
Pages
95-102
Publisher
Pergamon
Description
Complex adaptive systems (CAS) theory views healthcare as numerous sub-systems characterized by diverse agents that interact, self-organize, and continuously adapt. We apply this complexity science perspective to examine the extent to which CAS theory is a useful lens for designing and implementing health policies. We present the case of Health Links, a “low rules” policy intervention in Ontario, Canada aimed at stimulating the development of voluntary networks of health and social organizations to improve care coordination for the most frequent users of the healthcare system. Our sample consisted of stakeholders from regional governance bodies and organizations partnering in Health Links. Qualitative interview data were coded using the key complexity concepts of sensemaking, self-organization, interconnections, coevolution, and emergence. We found that the complexity-compatible policy design …
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