The need for a complex systems approach in rural health research

Article


Hulme, Adam, Thompson, Jason, Brown, Andrew and Argus, Geoff. 2022. "The need for a complex systems approach in rural health research." BMJ Open. 12 (10). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064646
Article Title

The need for a complex systems approach in rural health research

ERA Journal ID200230
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsHulme, Adam, Thompson, Jason, Brown, Andrew and Argus, Geoff
Journal TitleBMJ Open
Journal Citation12 (10)
Article Numbere064646
Number of Pages11
Year2022
PublisherBMJ
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
ISSN2044-6055
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064646
Web Address (URL)https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/10/e064646
Abstract

On a global scale, many major rural health issues have persisted for decades despite the introduction of new health interventions and public health policies. Although research efforts have generated valuable new knowledge about the aetiology of health, disease and health inequities in rural communities, rural health systems remain to be some of the most deprived and challenged in both the developing and developed world. While the reasons for this are many, a significant factor contributing to the current state of play is the pressing need for methodological innovation and relevant scientific approaches that have the capacity to support the translation of novel solutions into ‘real world’ rural contexts. Fortunately, complex systems approaches, which have seen an increase in popularity in the wider public health literature, could provide answers to some of the most resilient rural health problems in recent times. The purpose of this article is to promote the value and utility of a complex systems approach in rural health research. We explain the benefits of a complex systems approach and provide a background to the complexity sciences, including the main characteristics of complex systems. Two popular computational methods are described. The next step for rural health research involves exploring how a complex systems approach can help with the identification and evaluation of new and existing solutions to policy-resistant rural health issues. This includes generating awareness around the analytical trade-offs that occur between the use of traditional scientific methods and complex systems approaches.

Keywordsrural health; rural community
Byline AffiliationsUniversity of Queensland
University of Melbourne
University of the Sunshine Coast
Deakin University
School of Psychology and Wellbeing
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/z0216/the-need-for-a-complex-systems-approach-in-rural-health-research

Download files


Published Version
e064646.full.pdf
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
File access level: Anyone

  • 42
    total views
  • 28
    total downloads
  • 2
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Efficacy of a student-led interprofessional health clinic in regional Australia for preventing and managing chronic disease
Hulme, Adam, Sangelaji, Bahram, Walker, Clara, Fallon, Tony, Denham, Joshua, Martin, Priya, Woodruffe, Steve, Bell, Kate, Aniftos, Michelle, Kirkpatrick, Jayne, Cotter, Nicola, Osborn, Dayle and Argus, Geoff. 2024. "Efficacy of a student-led interprofessional health clinic in regional Australia for preventing and managing chronic disease." Journal of Interprofessional Care. 38 (5), pp. 893-906. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2024.2380436
Findings, progress, and lessons learned during the first 3 years of a student-led interprofessional health clinic in regional Australia
Walker, Clara, Sangelaji, Bahram, Osborn, Dayle, Cotter, Nicola, Argus, Geoff and Hulme, Adam. 2024. "Findings, progress, and lessons learned during the first 3 years of a student-led interprofessional health clinic in regional Australia." Journal of Interprofessional Care. 38 (2). https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2023.2282084
Causation and control: Understanding distracted driving in Australia through a systems thinking lens
Abedi, Masoumeh, Read, Gemma J.M., McLean, Scott, Wynne, Rachael A., Hulme, Adam, Thompson, Jason, McClure, Rod and Salmon, Paul M.. 2024. "Causation and control: Understanding distracted driving in Australia through a systems thinking lens." Safety Science. 173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2024.106435
The rural and interprofessional education and collaborative practice interface: Findings from a qualitative study
Martin, Priya, Argus, Geoff, Ford, Martelle, Barnett, Tessa, Graham, Nicola and Hill, Anne E.. 2024. "The rural and interprofessional education and collaborative practice interface: Findings from a qualitative study." Journal of Interprofessional Care. 38 (1), pp. 182-185. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2023.2232400
Characteristics of perceived effective telesupervision practices: A case study of supervisees and supervisors
Martin, Priya, Lizarondo, Lucylynn, Kumar, Saravana, Tian, Esther Jie, Kondalsamy-Chennakesavan, Srinivas and Argus, Geoff. 2023. "Characteristics of perceived effective telesupervision practices: A case study of supervisees and supervisors." PLoS One. 18. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0288314
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student supervision and education in health care settings: A state-wide survey of health care workers
Martin, Priya, Hulme, Adam, Fallon, Tony, Kumar, Saravana, McGrail, Matthew, Argus, Geoff, Gurney, Tiana and Kondalsamy-Chennakesavan, Srinivas. 2023. "Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student supervision and education in health care settings: A state-wide survey of health care workers." Australian Journal of Rural Health. 31 (3), pp. 484-492. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajr.12969
Comparing outcomes of an innovative interprofessional student placement model to standard placement models in rural healthcare settings
Martin, Priya, Ford, Martelle, Hill, Anne, Argus, Geoff, Graham, Nicola and Browne, Matthew. 2023. "Comparing outcomes of an innovative interprofessional student placement model to standard placement models in rural healthcare settings." Journal of Interprofessional Care. 37 (5), pp. 767-773. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2023.2166906
Nature and extent of disruptions to staff clinical supervision practices in health care settings due to COVID-19: A survey study
Martin, Priya, Argus, Geoff, Fox, Jordan, Gurney, Tiana, McGrail, Matthew, Kumar, Saravana and Kondalsamy-Chennakesavan, Srinivas. 2023. "Nature and extent of disruptions to staff clinical supervision practices in health care settings due to COVID-19: A survey study." Australian Journal of Rural Health. 31 (5), pp. 1008-1016. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajr.13036
Going soft on soft skills: A qualitative study of student supervisor perspectives of the impacts of COVID-19 on soft skill development in students
Martin, Priya, Argus, Geoff, Kondalsamy-Chennakesavan, Srinivas and Kumar, Saravana. 2023. "Going soft on soft skills: A qualitative study of student supervisor perspectives of the impacts of COVID-19 on soft skill development in students." Journal of Practice Teaching and Learning. 20 (3), pp. 67-80. https://doi.org/10.1921/jpts.v20i3.2109
A student-run exercise physiology clinic in Australia: who and what do we see?
Hume, E., Cameron, M., Findley, I., Smart, S., Elisaia, C., Hulme, A., Mills, D. and Denham, J.. 2023. "A student-run exercise physiology clinic in Australia: who and what do we see? " 2023 ASICS SMA Conference (ASICS SMA 2023). Sunshine Coast, Australia 11 - 14 Oct 2023 Australia. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2023.08.107
Sustaining rural interprofessional initiatives in the current landscape: A short report on interprofessional education in rural health services in Queensland
Martin, Priya, Hill, Anne, Graham, Nicky, Argus, Geoffrey and Ford, Martelle. 2021. "Sustaining rural interprofessional initiatives in the current landscape: A short report on interprofessional education in rural health services in Queensland." Australian Journal of Rural Health. 29 (2), pp. 245-247. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajr.12714
Promoting Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice in Rural Health Settings: Learnings from a State-Wide Multi-Methods Study
Martin, Priya, Pighills, Alison, Burge, Vanessa, Argus, Geoff and Sinclair, Lynne. 2021. "Promoting Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice in Rural Health Settings: Learnings from a State-Wide Multi-Methods Study." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18 (10), pp. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105162
Silver Linings Reported by Australians Experiencing Public Health Restrictions during the First Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Report
Campbell, Narelle, Thompson, Sandra C., Tynan, Anna, Townsin, Louise, Booker, Lauren A. and Argus, Geoff. 2021. "Silver Linings Reported by Australians Experiencing Public Health Restrictions during the First Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Report." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18 (11406), pp. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111406
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Clinical Supervision of Healthcare Students in Rural Settings: A Qualitative Study
Martin, Priya, Lizarondo, Lucylynn, Argus, Geoff, Kumar, Saravana and Kondalsamy-Chennakesavan, Srinivas. 2022. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Clinical Supervision of Healthcare Students in Rural Settings: A Qualitative Study." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19 (9). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095555
A Novel Interprofessional Education and Supervision Student Placement Model: Student and Clinical Educator Perspectives and Experiences
Martin, Priya, Hill, Anne, Ford, Martelle, Barnett, Tessa, Graham, Nicky and Argus, Geoff. 2022. "A Novel Interprofessional Education and Supervision Student Placement Model: Student and Clinical Educator Perspectives and Experiences." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19 (17). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710734
Perceptions, concerns and reported behaviours in response to the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote Australian communities
Argus, Geoff, Walker, Clara, Baratiny, Genevieve, Cotter, Nicola and Fallon, Tony. 2022. "Perceptions, concerns and reported behaviours in response to the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote Australian communities." Australian Journal of Rural Health. 30 (3), pp. 352-362. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajr.12842
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on Sodium Bicarbonate Administration and Equine Running Performance: Is it Time to Stop Horsing Around With Baking Soda?
Denham, Joshua and Hulme, Adam. 2020. "A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on Sodium Bicarbonate Administration and Equine Running Performance: Is it Time to Stop Horsing Around With Baking Soda?" Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 95, pp. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103281
Perceived social problem solving, perfectionism, and mindful awareness in clinical depression: An exploratory study
Argus, Geoffrey and Thompson, Murray. 2008. "Perceived social problem solving, perfectionism, and mindful awareness in clinical depression: An exploratory study." Cognitive Therapy and Research. 32 (6), pp. 745-757. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-006-9102-1
Measurement of mood in adolescents with intellectual disability
Argus, Geoffrey R., Terry, Peter C., Bramston, Paul and Dinsdale, Sarah L.. 2004. "Measurement of mood in adolescents with intellectual disability." Research in Developmental Disabilities. 25 (6), pp. 493-507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2004.05.001