TY - JOUR
T1 - The Affordable Care Act
T2 - A case study for understanding and applying complexity concepts to health care reform
AU - Larkin, D. Justin
AU - Swanson, R. Chad
AU - Fuller, Spencer
AU - Cortese, Denis
PY - 2016/2/1
Y1 - 2016/2/1
N2 - Rationale, aims and objectives The current health system in the United States is the result of a history of patchwork policy decisions and cultural assumptions that have led to persistent contradictions in practice, gaps in coverage, unsustainable costs, and inconsistent outcomes. In working toward a more efficient health system, understanding and applying complexity science concepts will allow for policy that better promotes desired outcomes and minimizes the effects of unintended consequences. Methods This paper will consider three applied complexity science concepts in the context of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA): developing a shared vision around reimbursement for value, creating an environment for emergence through simple rules, and embracing transformational leadership at all levels. Results and conclusions Transforming the US health system, or any other health system, will be neither easy nor quick. Applying complexity concepts to health reform efforts, however, will facilitate long-term change in all levels, leading to health systems that are more effective, efficient, and equitable.
AB - Rationale, aims and objectives The current health system in the United States is the result of a history of patchwork policy decisions and cultural assumptions that have led to persistent contradictions in practice, gaps in coverage, unsustainable costs, and inconsistent outcomes. In working toward a more efficient health system, understanding and applying complexity science concepts will allow for policy that better promotes desired outcomes and minimizes the effects of unintended consequences. Methods This paper will consider three applied complexity science concepts in the context of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA): developing a shared vision around reimbursement for value, creating an environment for emergence through simple rules, and embracing transformational leadership at all levels. Results and conclusions Transforming the US health system, or any other health system, will be neither easy nor quick. Applying complexity concepts to health reform efforts, however, will facilitate long-term change in all levels, leading to health systems that are more effective, efficient, and equitable.
KW - complexity science
KW - health care policy
KW - health care reform
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84961752103&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1111/jep.12271
DO - 10.1111/jep.12271
M3 - Article
C2 - 25367816
AN - SCOPUS:84961752103
VL - 22
SP - 133
EP - 140
JO - Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice
JF - Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice
SN - 1356-1294
IS - 1
ER -