Whether for scholarship or practice, we would be well served by the application of theories to enhance our understanding of complex systems and the tensions that arise within them. By using a CHAT framework, we may be able to anticipate how changes in systems, both planned and unplanned, may affect outcomes. Or, probably more realistically, CHAT may help us understand that intended outcomes may not always be achieved, and better anticipate unintended consequences. Since we are trying to undertake health professions education and scholarship in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA, 10 ) world, any concepts or theories that support an enhanced understanding of this increasing complexity are probably necessary for us to survive and hopefully thrive.CHAT may help us understand that intended outcomes may not always be achieved, and better anticipate unintended consequences.