Contents

1 What is health systems science? Building an integrated vision, 1

2 Systems thinking in health care: Addressing the complex dynamics of patients and health systems, 21           

3  The health care delivery system, 37  

4  Health care structures and processes, 49       

5  Value in health care, 64          

6  Patient safety , 84     

7 Quality improvement, 108      

8 Principles of teamwork and team science, 127             

9 Leadership in health care, 139              

10 Clinical informatics, 156         

11 Population health, 172

12 Structural and social determinants of health , 191    

13 Health law and ethics, 220    

14 Health care policy and economics, 243           

15 Application of health systems science competencies in patient care, 267     

16 The use of assessment to support students’ learning and improvement in health systems science , 286      

17 Looking ahead: The dynamic nature of health systems science, future trends, and the role of learners as change agents , 303        

Glossary, 315