What can we learn from asoft sister? A complementary lens to the systems engineering approach in medical education research

Eye opener: exploring complexity using rich pictures

“…As a complexity researcher trained within the ‘systems engineering’ paradigm [ 3 , 4 ], I find the reductionist approach helpful but problematic at the same time. It is helpful in trying to get an idea of the kinds of forces (i.e., complexity dimensions) involved in a situation, but it becomes problematic when trying to understand how those multiple forces shape the evolution of the situation itself [ 2 , 5 ].…”

When I say … networks and systems

“…Particularly during complex situations, one provider on a team may see a situation differently from other team members, a vital perspective which can be a catalyst for high‐quality care. Thus, divergence among team members either productively or unproductively disrupts a situation to help a team move forward or forces team members into evasive workarounds . A SE focus on perspectives and interactions would reveal that competent teamwork, when conceptualised as a system, begins when team members recognise that each person brings a different way of thinking and talking about the problem.…”

“…A SE focus on perspectives and interactions would reveal that competent teamwork, when conceptualised as a system, begins when team members recognise that each person brings a different way of thinking and talking about the problem. As such, appreciating perceptual differences puts awareness and negotiation at the forefront of the team activities …”

“…Thus, divergence among team members either productively or unproductively disrupts a situation to help a team move forward 5 or forces team members into evasive workarounds. 6,7 A SE focus on perspectives and interactions would reveal that competent teamwork, when conceptualised as a system, begins when team members recognise that each person brings a different way of thinking and talking about the problem. As such, appreciating perceptual differences puts awareness and negotiation at the forefront of the team activities.…”

“…As such, appreciating perceptual differences puts awareness and negotiation at the forefront of the team activities. 6,7 The lay usage of the terms networks and systems may serve the purpose of describing interconnectivity and interdependency in a general way. As the field progresses, however, it is important to be aware of how language shapes our ideas and lenses, 8 to unpack and discuss where ideas originate and acknowledge the conceptually rich spaces they have inhabited.…”