Verified Document

Systems Theory Discuss Relationship Systems Theory Healthcare Essay

Systems Theory Discuss relationship systems theory healthcare deliver U.S. - What current concepts healthcare explained helped a system theory approach? - What system theory? - How researchers (Ludwig von Bertalanffy Everett M.

Systems theory and diffusion of innovation theory

Systems theory

Systems theory was not specifically designed to cope with the challenges of the U.S. healthcare system, although it has been frequently applied to some of its issues. Systems theory was originally coined by the scientist Ludwig von Bertalanffy to sum up his idea that the 'whole' of systems -- both biological and otherwise -- were larger than the sum of their parts. According to von Bertalanffy, "in the past, science tried to explain observable phenomena by reducing them to an interplay of elementary units investigable independently of each other, conceptions appear in contemporary science that are concerned with what is somewhat vaguely termed 'wholeness', i.e. problems of organization, phenomena not resolvable into local events, dynamic interactions manifest in difference of behaviour of parts when isolated or in a higher configuration" (Von Bertalanffy 1968). This can be seen in the human body, where organs cannot be treated in isolation but must be viewed as part of the larger human 'system.'

Diffusion of innovation theory

Diffusion of innovation theory similarly underlines how outside data can stimulate change, specifically how information flows through a network. As defined by E.M. Rogers, "innovation is communicated through certain channels over a period of time among the members of a social system…An innovation is an idea, practice, or object that is perceived to be new by an individual or other unit of adoption [and] communication is a process in which participants create and share information with one another to reach a mutual understanding" (Diffusion of innovation theory, 2013, University of Twente). Innovation is a four-stage process, beginning with the generation of the invention,...

For example, within the healthcare system, when a 'new' idea is introduced (such as the vaccine for chicken pox or a new drug to treat depression), at first, a handful of cutting-edge practitioners avail themselves of the treatment, but gradually it becomes more and more mainstream and adopted by more and more practitioners until it becomes the 'norm.' Eventually some treatments and protocols become so accepted that it is considered abnormal, even malpractice, not to offer them.
Systems theory and the nursing process

Some criticisms have been leveled against the healthcare system given its tendency to treat 'parts' of human health and wellness in isolation (such as having certain practitioners focus upon heart disease and others on diet rather than drawing interconnections between the two), and thus failing to exhibit sufficient appreciation for the biological 'system' of human beings. Human beings themselves and systems which treat the needs of human beings like the healthcare system are 'open' systems and receptive to changes in the environment.

From a nurse's perspective, systems theory is useful in that nursing views the patient as an open system, subjected to changes in terms of the input derived from biological, psychological, social, and spiritual influences. The nurse can help influence the system of the individual patient in a positive way because of this openness, but the openness and interconnectedness of the human makes him or her unpredictable and vulnerable to outside influences. For example, when treating a client who must lose weight, the nurse may recognize that in addition to the biological 'nutritional' systems of intake and outtake, there are social and familial systems which impact the individual and make it difficult for him or her to lose weight. By seeking…

Sources used in this document:
Resources

Diffusion of innovation theory. (2013). University of Twente. Retrieved:

http://www.utwente.nl/cw/theorieenoverzicht/Theory%20clusters/Communication%20and%20Information%20Technology/Diffusion_of_Innovations_Theory.doc/

This website contains excerpts from E.M. Rogers' work on diffusion of innovation theory, along with a helpful graphical representation of how the information is disseminated.

Kaminski, J. (Spring 2011).Diffusion of innovation theory. Canadian Journal of Nursing.
Informatics, 6(2). Theory in Nursing Informatics Column. http://cjni.net/journal/?p=1444
http://www.panarchy.org/vonbertalanffy/systems.1968.html
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Healthcare Reform Review of Literature:
Words: 6070 Length: 20 Document Type: Literature Review

(Menzel, 1990, p. 3) Fisher, Berwick, & Davis alude to the idea of integration in health care, with providers linking as well as creating networks of electronic medical records and other cost improvement tactics. The United States and other nations over the last twenty or so years, have begun a sweeping change in health care delivery, regarding the manner in which health information is input, stored and accessed. Computer use

Healthcare Policy Western Philosophical Thought and the
Words: 1627 Length: 4 Document Type: Thesis

Healthcare Policy Western Philosophical Thought and the Delivery of the Public Health System Improving healthcare behaviors and access to public healthcare has been a key issue of debate among politicians and officials on all levels of the government for quite some time. The ability to improve individual behaviors that result in improved health have an impact on society. The healthcare system is already overwhelmed and there is an urgent need to convince

Health Care Debate
Words: 1666 Length: 5 Document Type: Research Paper

health care debate that has been going in the United States. It discusses the Obama Care Act and how it impacts the society. Functionalist perspectives and theories are utilized in analyzing the situation and what outcomes are expected. The major themes and concepts of the functionalist theory are discussed in detail. The Health Care reform proposed by the Obama Administration has long been the area of debate in America and

Health Care Systems Comparison of
Words: 1953 Length: 6 Document Type: Essay

Conclusion Based on the information currently available, the Canadian health care system is the more utilitarian and is, therefore, the better approach but those facing the need for advanced and expedient care would certainly argue otherwise. Therein lies the problem and therein lies the challenge for American society. Even the most ardent proponents of employer-based insurance plans would dare not argue that having great numbers of uninsured is the price that

Healthcare System in the United
Words: 5160 Length: 17 Document Type: Research Proposal

However, despite the development of these exemplary healthcare capacities, the UAE's system continued to suffer during this timeframe from a perception among the population that it lacked quality (Kronfel, 1999). It cannot be discounted that the public may perceive the UAE's healthcare system as lacking in quality because the system does in fact have many developmental issues left to resolve. For example, a study by Margolis (2002) found that as

Healthcare Delivery System Model
Words: 2778 Length: 8 Document Type: Term Paper

A Model Healthcare Delivery System Introduction The healthcare delivery system also referred to in short as the HCDS is the most effective system that works for most healthcare organizations in all countries with fair, effective and efficient distribution of resources. It is a fast growing service that demands attention from various quarters and domains. At the optimal level, the service program presents relief and hope to the individual, and the general population.

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now