We need to talk about 'bad' resilience

Area of Science:

• Health Policy
• Health Systems Research
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• The concept of health system resilience has gained significant traction.
• There is an increasing tendency to frame resilience as an inherently positive attribute.

Purpose of the Study:

• To challenge the normative framing of health system resilience.
• To examine the risks associated with assuming resilience is always "good."
• To highlight the potential negative impacts on health system policy and research.

Main Methods:

• Critical analysis of the assumptions underlying the positive framing of resilience.
• Examination of how this framing can obscure the social dimensions of health systems.
• Exploration of the consequences of viewing resilience as a purely achievable objective.

Main Results:

• The normative framing of resilience can lead to overlooking the social nature of health systems.
• Assuming resilience is inherently positive may cause researchers and policymakers to ignore the consequences of change.
• This perspective can be detrimental to effective health system policy and research.

Conclusions:

• A critical re-evaluation of the assumptions about health system resilience is necessary.
• Moving beyond a purely positive view of resilience is crucial for maintaining its utility.
• Understanding the social context is vital for effective health system strengthening.