Teaching health systems science

Health systems science is a foundational platform and framework for the study and understanding of how care is delivered, how health professionals work together to deliver that care, and how the health system can improve patient care and health care delivery.

Learn more about teaching health systems science by registering for upcoming webinars or reviewing past sessions.

Core functional, foundational, and linking domains of health systems science

The AMA Health Systems Science Learning Series, a popular set of educational modules that prepare future physicians and health care professionals to successfully work within health systems, has refreshed all 13 modules in the learning series. Some of the highlighted updates include: 

• AI and Big Data 
• Leadership competencies 
• Ethics and law in medicine from a systems perspective 
• A five-step framework which includes understanding relative costs of interventions 
• Improving health outcomes by implementing population health 
• Identifying social determinants of health during patient encounters utilizing the five A’s (adjustment, assistance, alignment, advocacy, and awareness) 

The learning series, which is available at no cost on the AMA Ed Hub™, prepares learners to successfully navigate complex health systems, enhance patient care, improve outcomes and work toward fulfilling the promise of the Quadruple Aim—better patient experience, better population health, lower overall costs and improved professional satisfaction.

Health Systems Science Education: Development and Implementation, the fourth volume in the AMA MedEd Innovation Series published by Elsevier, is available now.

This book is a first-of-its-kind, instructor-focused field book that equips educators to not just teach health systems science, but to know how to integrate and implement health systems science comprehensively and effectively across the curriculum.

Explore the 2nd edition of the Health Systems Science textbook, the first text that focuses on providing a fundamental understanding of how health care is delivered, how health care professionals work together to deliver that care and how the health system can improve patient care.

Health Systems Science Review, a companion to the Health Systems Science textbook, is a first-of-its-kind review book created by the consortium and published by Elsevier.

This study tool provides case-based questions followed by discussions of answers and suggested readings—making it a valuable review resource for medical students and instructors, as well as medical residents; nursing, allied health, and public health students; and hospital administrators.

Discover the rich landscape of peer reviewed articles covering topics from the principles of teamwork to the future of health systems science.

1. Health systems science proving vital during pandemic response

   1. A new chapter in a recently released second edition of Health Systems Science, a textbook featuring contributions from faculty members within the AMA consortium, outlines how these practices are best utilized during a pandemic.

2. 13 free modules offer students insight on health system science

   1. To aid schools and students looking to sharpen their skills during a time of uncertainty, 13 modules in the Health Systems Science Learning Series are available for free via the AMA Ed Hub. 

3. Ending health inequity requires new skill: structural competency

   1. A recent AMA webinar explores how to undo systemic racism by applying an important new concept to medical education: structural competency.

4. Why you need to be a systems thinker in health care

   1. Practicing medicine today is so much more than the interaction between you and the patient sitting before you.

Stay up to date on CME & education

Get the latest CME and education opportunities from the AMA and 50+ trusted providers on AMA Ed Hub™—delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Watch now: Preparing medical students for residency

Watch now: Challenges to transitioning to residency

Free book: Download Educator Well-Being in Academic Medicine

Order Health Systems Science Education: Development and Implementation