White House advisory group calls systems engineering key to healthcare transformation

A presidential advisory group of scientists asserts that systems engineering holds the key to better healthcare and lower costs.

The 66-page report by the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology identifies a comprehensive set of actions for enhancing U.S. healthcare through greater use of systems-engineering principles.

“Systems engineering, widely used in manufacturing and aviation, is an interdisciplinary approach to analyze, design, manage and measure a complex system in order to improve its efficiency, reliability, productivity, quality and safety,” wrote the advisory board. “It has often produced dramatically positive results in the small number of healthcare organizations that have incorporated it into their processes. But in spite of excellent examples, systems methods and tools are not yet used on a widespread basis in U.S. healthcare.”

As such, in addition to accelerating movement to a payment system that pays for value rather than volume, the advisory board recommends providing technical assistance to healthcare providers in applying systems methods, particularly those with limited resources. Also, it recommends bolstering engagement with communities to help improve healthcare delivery.

“Systems engineering know-how must be propagated at all levels” so the U.S. can “build a healthcare workforce that is equipped with essential systems engineering competencies that will enable system redesign.”

Read the full report here.