Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is awareness that the current paradigm that serves as the foundation for the system of mental health care services, has unintended detrimental consequences. Pilot projects such as the Mental Health Ecosystem (GEM), introducing a non-linear, complex adaptive network system of care, aim to address this situation. However, GEM does not sufficiently match with the current paradigm of reductionism and determinism. AIM: To stimulate the dialogue about the question which mental health care paradigm may align with GEM and its commitment to co-creation, self-organization, and more freedom of choice for patients. METHOD: From a philosophy of science perspective, testing broadly whether the current scientific paradigm fits with recent developments and describing another scientific paradigm, the complexity sciences. As an example case, we describe the Ecosystem Mental Health. RESULTS: GEM aligns well with complexity science and approaches the mental health system as a complex adaptive system. The concepts of emergence and feedback loops are also useful for understanding the dynamics within GEM. CONCLUSION: Complexity science, as an alternative scientific paradigm, potentially offers entry points to explore a form of contextual care within a mental health ecosystem.
| Translated title of the contribution | Will science follow the changing dynamics in the mental health care practice? |
|---|---|
| Original language | Dutch |
| Pages (from-to) | 692-695 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Tijdschrift voor Psychiatrie |
| Volume | 64 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| Publication status | Published - 2022 |