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How a systems-based approach helps bridge gaps in providing necessary public health services but needs to be balanced with a personalized holistic approach to transforming communities
A system thinking approach is critical when leading a public health initiative in a culturally and economically diverse society (Henriksen et al. 44). A systems-based approach assists in bridging the gap in the provision of the necessary public health services but has to be balanced with a personal and holistic approach to transforming communities. According to Henriksen et al. (44), bridging the gap between healthcare professionals and communities is not a simple task considering it involves establishing a culture that entails community participation and enhancing the communication process between the two groups. However, effective communication between the two is mostly a difficult task (Henriksen et al. 44). The people involved in a system-based approach have different education levels and competencies, speak different languages, have different priorities in life, and understand things differently.
Healthcare is a complex sector of an economy, while hospitals are the most complex human organizations to have ever been devised (Johnson et al. 398). And for decades, healthcare providers have been admonished to reduce costs, enhance access, and improve quality. An essential lever in addressing performance gaps in the provision of public health services is the use of a systems-based approach to bring about improvements in quality of care, patient safety, value, patient experience, and overall outcomes in healthcare. These approaches are mostly underutilized within the healthcare systems, and the potential for improvements remain untapped. A system-based approach helps bridge the gaps in the provision of public health services by considering multiple elements necessary for the care and multiple factors that affect health (Johnson et al. 401). Moreover, through an understanding of how different aspects independently operate, and how their interdependence, a system-based approach helps with design and the integration of processes, people, policies, and organizations that promote better healthcare at a lower cost.
Accordingly, a system-based approach is necessary at various levels of health care systems, including organization, patient-clinician interactions, health care units, communities, and nations (Public Health England 10). The systems work when different tools needed across levels and at different levels are available. Some tools include production and management systems that enable organizations to improve operations and identifying problems. A system-based approach is necessary for public health services to attain quality, safety, efficiency, and other operational aspects. Further, the approach should be balanced with a personalized holistic approach to transform communities within their areas and where people share a common affinity or identity. In essence, communities have such a vital contribution towards health and well-being with social connections, but community life has a voice, particularly in decisions underpinning good health (Public Health England 15). However, communities are characterized by inequalities, and people continue to experience the effects of social exclusion and lack of social support.
Hence, a system-based approach addresses powerlessness and marginalization associated with entrenched health inequalities. Johnson et al. (402) say most of the assets in communities, including knowledge and skills, community organizations, and social networks, are considered essential building blocks for good health. Additionally, this approach is about community leadership, representation, activism, fostering resilience in communities, and enabling communities and individuals to control their lives and health. Thus, a system-based approach to public health services strengthens communities and focuses on enhancing individual capacities to provide support, information, advice, and organize activities around the well-being and health within the community (Johnson et al. 404). The system is about partnerships and collaborations, identification of needs, implementation, and enhancing access to resources in communities.
Work Cited
Henriksen, K., et al. “Systems-Based Practice: Improving the Safety and Quality of Patient Care by Recognizing and Improving the Systems in Which We Work–Advances in Patient Safety: New Directions and Alternative Approaches (Vol. 2: Culture and Redesign).” (2008).
Johnson, Douglas B., et al. “Immune checkpoint inhibitor toxicities: systems-based approaches to improve patient care and research.” The Lancet Oncology 21.8 (2020): e398-e404.
Public Health, England. From evidence into action: opportunities to protect and improve the nation’s health. London: Public Health England; 2014.
“Start Small, Change the World: Lori DiPrete Brown at TEDxUWMadison” video on YouTube to provide additional perspective.