Describe a type of healthcare organization that functions as a complex adaptive system (CAS). What are the
Question:
- Describe a type of healthcare organization that functions as a complex adaptive system (CAS).
- What are the characteristics of this organization that suggest it is a CAS? How does this differ from a simple system?
According to Ratnapalan & Lang (2020), a complex adaptive systems approach has something to offer when thinking about leadership and organizational development in healthcare, not least of which because it may challenge taken-for-granted assumptions and prompt people to think in a less linear fashion (p.g 1). Healthcare organizations that function with complex adaptive systems focus on relationships rather than simple cause-and-effect models. A complex adaptive system will help the organization on suggesting new possible ways of changing protocols and procedures for the better as well as providing a more complete picture of what is affecting. Complex adaptive systems thinking is an approach that challenges the healthcare organization to simple cause-and-effect assumptions.Instead sees healthcare and other systems as a dynamic process where the interaction and relationships of different components react and are shaped by the current system (Ratnapalan & Lang, 2020).
A healthcare organization that functions as a complex adaptive system would have characteristics such as working as a team and including external departments to allow the organization to grow faster (Merali & Allen, 2011). Leadership instead of management minds and more incentives instead of commanding and controlling. In my personal experience where I work, we concentrate and focus more on the team members' interaction with each other than on the characteristics of individual team members. It is important to have efficiency and management, but we believe in the power of agility and leading the team by example. Our goal as a healthcare emergency clinic is to provide the best quality of healthcare but also to clearly describe organizational goals and establish flexible structures that will inspire to produce outcomes that exceed those goals.