1- Discuss inputs of a healthcare system/policy/practice
According to systems theory, there are inputs, throughputs, and outputs. The inputs (i.e., what we “put” into the systems) are obtained from internal and external sources to produce products and services. Inputs might commonly include:
• Funding
• Policies
• Staff/personnel
• Facilities/equipment
• Expertise
• Materials and resources
• Information
• Time
In addition to this, there can be other intangible factors such as social, cultural, political, environmental factors (e.g., influence of pandemic) that affect the healthcare systems/policies/practices that need to be considered
2- Discuss throughputs/processes/activities of a healthcare system/policy/practice
Throughputs are those processes and/or activities that a system employs to convert collective inputs into desired outputs (e.g., the processes of treatment and service provision to patients). Discuss the importance/effects of the throughputs in the chosen system/policy/practice.
3- Discuss the outputs of a healthcare system/policy/practice
Outputs (i.e., what leaves the system) are the results obtained. In the healthcare context, outputs are predominantly the end services or products that are delivered or provided to the clients (e.g., number of
