Group items tagged

Benham-Hutchins, M. & Clancy ,T. R. (2010). Managing organizational complexity. social networks as embedded complex adaptive systems. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 40(9), 352. The authors of this article, both of whom are faculty at Texas Women's University School of Nursing, identify social network analysis (SNA) as a tool that is complementary to the theatrical underpinnings of complexity science. They assert that interprofessional communication is influenced not only by two individuals in communication with one another, but also by the social networks of which each is a part. The authors focus on the non-linear processes involved in communication between professionals and units when transferring a patient. Incorporating the theories of complexity sciences into research on communication networks could increase the applicability to healthcare organizations. Recognizing the complex nature and influence of social networks within an organization will assist the nurse leaders in our case study formulate solutions for the non-linear challenges they face.

I thought the dynamic figures in this article were telling. However in the patient centered environment, it was odd to me that very little attention was paid to the patient in the midst of this complex transfer especially in Figure 3. I think we all must be aware that the true definition of a CAS is the ability to learn and adapt based on environmental cues, feedback or events. We often have complex systems but not complex adaptive systems.