http://www.cprn.org/en/doc.cfm?doc=133

The report ties together a number of separate studies and the results of discussions involving some 3,500 people at more than 90 events held over the course of developing the research conclusions. The study takes a careful look at three fundamental questions: What is health? What is a health system? And, What is health policy? The author demonstrates the complexity of each, then illustrates the nature of interventions in complex systems by addressing a number of interesting case-based questions: How did the Walkerton water supply crisis come to pass? Why are Canadians still obese, even though they exercise more and eat better than ever before? Why did the Canadian government face a crisis over the safety of the blood supply while the American government did not? Why are Canadians more and more dissatisfied with their health care system despite the fact that more money and brainpower are focused on it than ever before? It is conclude with an important caution," Intervening in complex environments, such as those in the health field in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, requires special care in understanding the particular circumstances and the general nature of complex systems. (Au)