Weaving viewpoints into healthcare policy

Abstract

This paper describes a set of approaches for evaluating and designing healthcare policy content. These approaches draw from multiple viewpoints in human factors, systems thinking, safety science, and human-centered design (HCD). Six groupings of approaches drawing from different viewpoints are included that address philosophical underpinnings, policy networks and information systems, embedded references to available expertise, customizable modular elements, usability and HCD, and linguistic considerations. For each grouping, an example is provided along with lessons learned and limitations of each approach. Because these approaches emphasize different vantage points and flexibility in design, they can be useful for inquiring into a variety of policy design considerations. Viewing bodies of policy through these perspectives can help us to address questions about how they support healthcare work and how they may work as a system of policies together towards positive outcomes.