![]() ![]() As a result, more Canadians who have had a stroke are living with its effects. In Canada, stroke is the third leading cause of death, and the leading cause of disability. Fifteen million people worldwide experience a stroke each year and approximately one-third die with another one-third are left disabled from the stroke. With increasing life expectancy, an ageing population, and rising rates of obesity and diabetes, the incidence of stroke is projected to rise. Relationships with health providers, informational support, and continuity in case management all influence the family caregiving experience and ultimately the quality of care for the stroke survivor, during the transition home from a rehabilitation facility. Supports and services in the community, such as outpatient physiotherapy services, were limited or did not meet the specific needs of the stroke survivors or family caregivers. Health system policies and procedures at the macro-level determined the types and timing of information being provided to caregivers, and impacted continuity of care and access to supports and services at the micro-level. Directed and inductive content analysis and the theory of Complex Adaptive Systems were used to interpret the perceptions of family caregivers. Interviews were conducted with family caregivers to examine their perceptions and experiences navigating the stroke rehabilitation system. MethodsĪ convenient sample of family caregivers ( n = 14) who provide care for a stroke survivor were recruited 4–12 weeks following the patient’s discharge from a stroke rehabilitation facility in Ontario, Canada. This study provides an understanding of the interacting complexities at the macro and micro levels. The theories of continuity of care and complex adaptive systems were integrated to examine the transition from a stroke rehabilitation facility to the patient’s home. In this exploratory study we examined family caregivers’ perceptions and experiences navigating the stroke rehabilitation system. It’s a practice which continues to help us develop our "systems lens", so that we are more able to identify the connections within our human systems, the systems that effect us all.Family caregivers provide the stroke survivor with social support and continuity during the transition home from a rehabilitation facility. We have been flexing our mind muscles with every casual conversation, interaction, and exchange of ideas. We just love that opportunity arises from our interactions with each other, and that when we consciously hold space and appreciation for each other, great things can happen. We don’t claim to be experts on any one methodology, framework, or theory. We are so fascinated by the connections we have discovered along the way in our journey to learn. “The ways in which the agents in a system connect and relate to one another is critical to the survival of the system.” The fact is, finding meaningful connections can strengthen any system and any design. In design thinking, we look for patterns and themes which pertain to customers, and complexity theory is the same, but can be applied more broadly, to any type of system. Instead, they listen, not just to what people say, but how they say it. They don’t judge or make assumptions.They don’t force their will upon any system. They don’t see only what they want to see. The trick is to recognize when it happens so you can shift your perspective, because those who can observe and engage without attached bias are able to identify connections as they emerge. Self-awareness brings more attention to our mental models, which might be holding us back and keeping us from seeing the big picture in an unbiased way. Using a “systems lens” requires tailored behavior, a fine-tuning of self, in order to gain clarity. These people are curious and their non-linear thinking is driven by emotional intelligence because there isn’t room for ego, stubbornness, or rigidity when evaluating systems. They flex their mind muscles with much practice, expanding their points of view by making an effort to, at a minimum, acknowledge other perspectives. But arguably, the most interesting similarities we found were in human characteristics, ideologies, and perspectives.Īt their core, complexity and design thinking are utilized by people who keep an open-mind, holding space for new perspectives and ideas. It’s amazing the parallels we found in the approach and methodology of design thinking and the terminology found in complex systems theory. ![]() Our recent podcast series on design thinking (aka human-centered design) has really helped us better understand complexity and systems-thinking.
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