Problems in public health and health policy are often complex, with solutions hard to sustain. Systems thinking is a core skill in public health that helps health policymakers build programmes and policies that are aware of complexity and prepared for unintended consequences.
This course provides an introduction to systems thinking and systems models in public health. The emphasis is on learning by doing: making diagrams of complex systems, sharing systems diagrams with stakeholder groups and using simulation software to deepen understanding of systems.
Who is this course for?
Public health practitioners, health system managers, policy-makers, and students interested in learning and applying systems thinking methods to their work.
Important dates
The first cohort of the course will begin on 15 February, with a new cohort commencing on the third Monday of every month.
Course instructors
Dr David Bishai (Professor, Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins University) and Dr Ligia Paina (Assistant Scientist, International Health, Johns Hopkins University)
Registration
- Register now!
http://www.coursera.org/learn/systems-thinking/
This work was coordinated by the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research within the World Health Organization, with the aid of a grant from the International Development Research Centre, Canada. Additional support was provided by the Department for International Development (DFID) through a grant (PO5467) to Future Health Systems research consortium.