A systems analysis approach to planned change in a clinical psychiatric program

In health car facilities, systems studies are commonly conducted as ivory-tower operations with minimal impact and little practical result. A real-life case study was presented to demonstrate how it can be used effectively in a collaborative manner to implement constructive change. Systems Analysis techniques were succe-sfully used with the staff of a psychiatric ward to plan for a satellite outpatient treatment program. The focus was on collaboration to help the ward to obtain objective information for decisions concerning the need for changes in their existing system.