System working

Purpose

This domain is about working beyond traditional team and organisational boundaries in integrated, collaborative and innovative ways to improve health and wellbeing of the populations you serve.

Why is this important?

Society’s health and social care needs are changing and as a consequence, traditional ways of configuring services too often lead to disjointed and inefficient care, deepening health inequalities. It is widely recognised that if we are to make significant inroads into improving population health outcomes, we will need to tackle the wider determinants of health and adjust our focus to keeping people well, rather than simply treating illness. All this requires a deep understanding of how health and care systems fit together, the ability to work across team and organisational boundaries and the willingness to lead change and improvement - including the development of new and innovative models of service delivery - in collaboration with patients and colleagues. Systems working requires a different skill set, one that moves beyond a focus on individual engagement to one that involves collective and collaborative action.

Domain learning outcomes

On completing this domain of the enhance programme, you will be able to:

• Identify the organisational units of health and care, their interrelationship, and funding, and how their activities - together with those of local authorities, community groups and the third sector - may be aligned for greatest health benefit.
• Work collaboratively in trusted partnership, across teams, organisations, systems and communities to co-produce health and care - appreciating the value of building strategic relationships through informal and formal modes of communication.
• Develop innovative approaches to achieving improved and equitable health outcomes for individuals and populations embracing new and emerging models of care.
• Challenge, support and influence others in a system to make a difference, while taking responsibility to lead that which is within your control.
• Engage diverse audiences - through for instance, story-telling, public narrative and social media - to drive improved population health outcomes.

You can view the full chapter here.