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Characteristics of complex adaptive systems in technology-mediated wound care communication processes

University of British Columbia

Wound management is a common healthcare concern that affects many people across the span of their lives. The complexity of wound care results in the necessity of an interdisciplinary approach with many team members communicating and sharing information. Communication can be a challenge in the complex and constantly evolving healthcare system. Describing the current state of processes of interdisciplinary wound care communication, as informed by complex adaptive systems theory, adds to the existing research regarding complex adaptive systems, communication and technology use in health care. In this thesis I used ethnographic methods and a complex adaptive systems analytic framework to explore the processes surrounding interdisciplinary wound care communication. Interviews were conducted with nine healthcare providers and facilitated through the use of professional personas. Through the interviews, categories and themes were identified and the results were reviewed to see to what extent wound care communication processes are reflective of complex adaptive systems. Three main themes were identified: How context shapes interdisciplinary communication; Navigation of tools and technologies; and Efficiency and trust in face-to-face communication. Each wound care communication category mapped to a minimum of two complex adaptive systems properties while some illustrated all eleven properties. Overall, the wound care communication categories exemplify the properties of a complex adaptive system which suggests that interdisciplinary wound care communication is a complex adaptive system. Despite the different technologies available to mediate interdisciplinary communication there was a resounding preference for face-to-face and in person communication whenever possible.

Text

2021-07-31

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/75301

Nursing

University of British Columbia

UBCV

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/