Chaos theory as a planning tool for community-based educational experiences for health students.

Full Abstract

Educational and community health systems are social systems composed of a group or collection of entities for which there is a unifying principle. The purpose of this paper is to briefly explain chaos theory and to apply it to the Interdisciplinary Rural Health Training Program (IRHTP) as a case study. The IRHTP is an existing rural, community based educational program for baccalaureate and graduate health care students. Chaos theory attempts to understand the underlying order in processes that appear to not have any guidelines or principles. These processes typically involve the interaction of several elements over time. Chaos theory provided the university with a method of anticipating the natural flux between order and chaos to allow the system to function at its highest level. To thrive in such a complex dynamic environment the authors recommend application of Ockerman's Five Factors.

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Author information

Author/s: Velde, Beth P (BP); Greer, Annette G (AG); Lynch, Deirdre C (DC); Escott-Stump, Sylvia (S);

Affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, East Carolina University, 306 Belk, Greenville, NC 27858, USA. veldeb(-atsign-)mail.ecu.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of allied health (J Allied Health), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-; vol 31 (issue 3) : pp 147-52

Dates: Created 2002/09/13; Completed 2003/01/16; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 12227265, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Allied Health Personnel - education
Education, Graduate
Education, Professional - organization & administration
Humans
Nonlinear Dynamics
Organizational Case Studies

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