Healthcare Management

Complexity and the Adoption of Innovation in Health Care

---

Baking a cake is a simple problem. Simple problems lend themselves to a recipe approach. The process and results are generalizable; and while special skill at cooking is a plus, it is not essential for success.
Sending a rocket to the moon is an example of a complicated problem. Complicated problems are best dealt with using formulaic and expert-knowledge approaches. The overall problem can be mechanistically broken down into component parts (booster rocket, cabin environment, navigational equipment, etc.) and assigned to teams of experts who utilize the proven methodologies of their disciplines. Rockets are similar in important ways, meaning that success with one rocket provides reasonable assurance of success with future rockets. When surprising events do occur, we can study these, build improvements into the system, and thus raise the probability of future success.
In contrast to simple and complicated issues, an example of a complex issue is that of raising a child. Success in raising one child is no guarantee of success in raising another. Past experience, coupled with advice from experts, can serve as a starting point; but we know that simply applying the formula that worked before may not lead to success, and may even lead directly to failure because of the second child’s resentment at being treated this way.

---

Availability

No copy data

Detail Information

Series Title

-

Call Number

-

Publisher

: ., 2003

Collation

1-18

Language

English

ISBN/ISSN

-

Classification

NONE

Content Type

-

Media Type

-

Carrier Type

-

Edition

-

Subject(s)

Complexity and the Adoption of Innovation in Healt

Specific Detail Info

-

Statement of Responsibility

-

Other version/related

File Attachment

Comments

---

You must be logged in to post a comment