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221.654.81
Systems Thinking in Public Health: Applications of Key Methods and Approaches

Location
Internet
Term
3rd Term
Department
International Health
Credit(s)
2
Academic Year
2015 - 2016
Instruction Method
TBD
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Prerequisite

None

Description
Systems thinking, (ST), is a holistic approach to analyzing how components of complex systems interact and adapt. Through systems thinking we can understand how societies organize themselves to achieve collective health goals and how different actors contribute to policy outcomes. The practice of systems thinking includes the ability to integrate multiple perspectives and synthesize them into a framework or model that encompasses the various ways in which a system might react to policy choices.
Provides students with an understanding of how to apply ST in public health. Trains students on the fundamentals of ST theory and offers an opportunity to apply key methods and approaches to health policy and health questions. Prepares students to ask relevant research questions and apply a ST lens to describe, understand, and anticipate complex behavior. Examines how systems models can be critically appraised and communicated with others so public health policy makers can exercise a greater degree of wisdom and insight.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Identify characteristics of a system
  2. Identify unintended consequences of public health system changes
  3. Critically appraise systems models
  4. Assess strengths and weaknesses of applying the systems approach to public health problems
  5. Use participatory modelling approaches to understand how to engage with diverse stakeholders, how unanticipated consequences emerge, and what to do about them
  6. Use systems diagrams and figures to show how feedback loops might lead to unanticipated consequences.