Overview of the U.S. Healthcare System

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to the U.S. healthcare system as discussed in the lecture notes.

Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS)

A system characterized by interconnected agents that adapt and evolve in response to their environment.

Interconnections

Nonlinear relationships among agents in a CAS that can lead to significant changes in behavior based on small inputs.

Self-organization

A process where agents in a CAS spontaneously arrange themselves into stable patterns without central control.

Emergence

The phenomenon where the behavior or properties of a CAS arise from the interactions of its parts, creating new characteristics not present in the individual components.

Coevolution

The simultaneous evolution of a CAS and its environment, where each influences the development of the other.

Systems thinking

An approach that considers the interactions and interdependencies within a system to find sustainable solutions.

Systems Dynamics

Involves the use of mathematical modeling and computer simulation to understand and discuss the complexity of systems.

Reinforcing Loops (R)

Feedback loops in a system that amplify changes, leading to exponential growth or decline.

Balancing Loops (B)

Feedback loops that counteract changes in a system, promoting stability.

Health System

The sum total of organizations, institutions, and resources whose primary purpose is to improve health.

Health determinants

Factors that affect the health status of populations, including social, economic, and environmental influences.

Triple Aim

A healthcare improvement framework that focuses on enhancing patient experience, improving population health, and reducing costs.

Major Stakeholders

Entities or individuals with interests in healthcare outcomes, who may influence reform proposals and policies.

Feedback Loops

Processes in a CAS where outcomes feed back into the system, allowing for adjustments and adaptations.

Population health

The distribution of health outcomes within a population, and the determinants that influence these outcomes.