CLINICAL SYSTEMICS: TOWARDS AN INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK AND METHODOLOGY FOR ALLEVIATING PATHOLOGIES IN COMPLEX SYSTEMS

Abstract

Clinical systemics is a framework and methodology induced from Western medicine for the purpose of identifying and treating pathologies in complex living systems. Motivated by climate change and other significant trends in the 21^st century, clinical systemics is envisioned as a means of science-based, multidisciplinary collaboration and practice not only in social-ecological systems, but in other natural and artificial living systems as well. This paper will outline the philosophical underpinnings of such a framework and methodology, provide a contextual overview of the systems and complexity science project, and will describe the features of complex living systems, health, pathology, and healing. Building on these ideas, a vision for a clinical systemic framework and methodology will be articulated by drawing on examples from the history of Western medicine. And lastly, benefits and challenges of such a framework and methodology will be identified, followed by a suggested sequence of development and implementation.