A Systems Approach and Analysis of Physical Therapy

Abstract

The systems approach is a way of thinking about whole systems and their components. Its goal is to describe a system in such a way that decision-making can take place in a logical and coherent fashion, based on the most adequate information possible about the performance of the system. 1 THE SYSTEMS APPROACHOne of the best descriptions of the applica tion of the systems approach to the total health Volume 52 / Number 7, July 1972 care environment is given by Adelman, who characterizes the approach as having three essential components: 1. The totality of an operation and the relevant structures within the environment in which the operation occurs are examined. 2. Interrelationships within the system are also analyzed, and equal attention is given to the integration process which ties the parts into a system and encourages efficient, coordina ted action. 3. The whole environment of factors in a complex system is considered, using meth ods from diverse fields of science. The basic approach and the techniques used in systems studies are the product of analyses per formed on many dissimilar systems. 2 In contrast to other descriptive methods, the systems approach begins by determining the objectives of the system. Then, on the basis of these objectives, the components of the system are identified according to the function they perform in the attainment of those objectives. These components are called subsystems and are integrated by the processes which occur within the system. 743Downloaded from https://academic.oup.