Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
KevinMD
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking
KevinMD
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking
  • About KevinMD | Kevin Pho, MD
  • Be heard on social media’s leading physician voice
  • Contact Kevin
  • Discounted enhanced author page
  • DMCA Policy
  • Establishing, Managing, and Protecting Your Online Reputation: A Social Media Guide for Physicians and Medical Practices
  • Group vs. individual disability insurance for doctors: pros and cons
  • KevinMD influencer opportunities
  • Opinion and commentary by KevinMD
  • Physician burnout speakers to keynote your conference
  • Physician Coaching by KevinMD
  • Physician keynote speaker: Kevin Pho, MD
  • Physician Speaking by KevinMD: a boutique speakers bureau
  • Primary care physician in Nashua, NH | Kevin Pho, MD
  • Privacy Policy
  • Recommended services by KevinMD
  • Terms of Use Agreement
  • Thank you for subscribing to KevinMD
  • Thank you for upgrading to the KevinMD enhanced author page
  • The biggest mistake doctors make when purchasing disability insurance
  • The doctor’s guide to disability insurance: short-term vs. long-term
  • The KevinMD ToolKit
  • Upgrade to the KevinMD enhanced author page
  • Why own-occupation disability insurance is a must for doctors

What role does the science of complexity play in medicine? [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD
Podcast
April 30, 2021
Share
Tweet
Share
YouTube video

“The science of complexity lays a conceptual foundation for understanding “complex adaptive systems.” What all complex adaptive systems have in common is that they are all bound by the same set of physical laws. Their “behavior,” i.e., growth, maintenance, and death, can all be described using the same set of mathematical relationships. These systems (animals, plants, ecosystems, etc.) are the most productive and functionally effective systems known to man.

Unfortunately, our health care system has not been bound by the same physical laws and mathematical relationships as other complex adaptive systems. Thus, it has not been able to implement the same mechanisms that our ecosystems and cells have in order to obtain optimization in their ability to perform a function. This is most blatantly highlighted by the fact that 100,000 to 400,000 (depending on the source) Americans die each year due to medical errors.”

Robert Trent is a graduate student.

He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, “What role does the science of complexity play in medicine?”

Did you enjoy today’s episode?

Please click here to leave a review for The Podcast by KevinMD. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app to get notified when a new episode comes out!

Do you know someone who might enjoy this episode? Share this episode to anyone who wants to hear health care stories filled with information, insight, and inspiration.

Hosted by Kevin Pho, MD, The Podcast by KevinMD shares the stories of the many who intersect with our health care system but are rarely heard from.

Prev

Understanding the link between reflux and cancer can save lives

April 30, 2021 Kevin 4
…
Next

Blood clots and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine: a comic explanation

May 1, 2021 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: Medical school, Primary Care

< Previous Post
Understanding the link between reflux and cancer can save lives
Next Post >
Blood clots and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine: a comic explanation

ADVERTISEMENT

More by The Podcast by KevinMD

  • She was learning to keep others breathing while losing her own air [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • He declined routine X-rays and was denied a dental cleaning [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • She donated 2,000 hours of unpaid labor before she even noticed [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD

Related Posts

  • KevinMD at the Richmond Academy of Medicine

    Kevin Pho, MD
  • Take politics out of science and medicine

    Anonymous
  • Does the FDA approval of aducanumab mark the return of science-based medicine?

    Robert Trent
  • How social media can advance humanism in medicine

    Pooja Lakshmin, MD
  • Is social media a friend or foe of science?

    Michael Joyce, MD
  • Physicians who don’t play the social media game may be left behind

    Xrayvsn, MD

More in Podcast

  • She was learning to keep others breathing while losing her own air [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • He declined routine X-rays and was denied a dental cleaning [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • She donated 2,000 hours of unpaid labor before she even noticed [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • His mother-in-law heard “cancer,” went home, and was dead within a year [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • Silence at the chessboard changed how I talk to patients [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • Gradually, then suddenly: Dr. Robert Wachter on health care’s giant AI leap [PODCAST]

    The Podcast by KevinMD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • How corporate health care ruined the medical profession

      Edmond Cabbabe, MD | Physician
    • 13.1 reasons running a half marathon beats practicing medicine

      John Wei, MD | Physician
    • The cost of chaos in medical malpractice litigation

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
    • Medicare practice expense cuts will hurt patients

      John Birkmeyer, MD | Policy
    • Medical school rankings reshape what they measure

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Education
    • Why experiential consent is replacing traditional medical consent forms

      Ron Tongbai, MD | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why clinicians fail at writing expert reports

      Tracy Liberatore, Esq, PA | Conditions
    • Rethinking the role of family physicians vs. specialists

      Ronald L. Lindsay, MD | Physician
    • How corporate health care ruined the medical profession

      Edmond Cabbabe, MD | Physician
    • Clinicians are failing at value-based care because no one taught them the system [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Why clinical listening skills outpace artificial intelligence

      Ryan Egeland, MD, PhD | Tech
    • The hidden clinical cost of HCC coding in primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Medical school rankings reshape what they measure

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Education
    • The prostate cancer recovery few men are warned about

      Francisco M. Torres, MD | Physician
    • Physician career choices come down to risk tolerance

      Stanley Liu, MD | Finance
    • Shared responsibility in patient care needs boundaries

      Alan P. Feren, MD | Physician
    • Artificial intelligence in residency education and family medicine

      Jyothi Ranga Patri, MD, MHA | Tech
    • Independent medical practice runs on operations

      GetPracticeHelp | Finance

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

Leave a Comment

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • How corporate health care ruined the medical profession

      Edmond Cabbabe, MD | Physician
    • 13.1 reasons running a half marathon beats practicing medicine

      John Wei, MD | Physician
    • The cost of chaos in medical malpractice litigation

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
    • Medicare practice expense cuts will hurt patients

      John Birkmeyer, MD | Policy
    • Medical school rankings reshape what they measure

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Education
    • Why experiential consent is replacing traditional medical consent forms

      Ron Tongbai, MD | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why clinicians fail at writing expert reports

      Tracy Liberatore, Esq, PA | Conditions
    • Rethinking the role of family physicians vs. specialists

      Ronald L. Lindsay, MD | Physician
    • How corporate health care ruined the medical profession

      Edmond Cabbabe, MD | Physician
    • Clinicians are failing at value-based care because no one taught them the system [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Why clinical listening skills outpace artificial intelligence

      Ryan Egeland, MD, PhD | Tech
    • The hidden clinical cost of HCC coding in primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Medical school rankings reshape what they measure

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Education
    • The prostate cancer recovery few men are warned about

      Francisco M. Torres, MD | Physician
    • Physician career choices come down to risk tolerance

      Stanley Liu, MD | Finance
    • Shared responsibility in patient care needs boundaries

      Alan P. Feren, MD | Physician
    • Artificial intelligence in residency education and family medicine

      Jyothi Ranga Patri, MD, MHA | Tech
    • Independent medical practice runs on operations

      GetPracticeHelp | Finance

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today

Copyright © 2026 KevinMD.com | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme

  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...