Gianna Marsman

Embedding Sustainability in the Healthcare System: the Roles of Individual and Organizational Reflexivity Practices

Athena Institute, Faculty of Science. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Supervisors: Dr. Teun Zuiderent-Jerak, Dr. Tjerk Jan Schuitmaker & Dr. Carina Pittens

Background

With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Innovation Sciences (both from Utrecht University) Cianna’s academic journey has fueled her interest in the relationship between individual learning and transformative change within larger systems. During her studies, she was also involved in project Yuno, a social innovation project by Garage2020 which was dedicated to alleviating work-related stress among employees in youth care facilities.

Content

This research explores how structurally embedding reflexivity practices in the institutions of the healthcare system and in the habits of its individuals, can contribute to the long-term adaptability (sustainability) of that system. This topic will be explored in two complementary case studies. The first case study concerns the evaluation of thirteen diverse learning and improvement projects implemented in various healthcare settings. The case study has a two-fold objective: firstly, to develop an overarching framework that describes the mechanisms through which healthcare impacts can be reached by embedding learning and improvement practices; secondly, to establish the connection between this abstract framework and the nuances and richness of the thirteen projects on which it is based. As for the second case study, its specific focus is yet to be determined, allowing for further exploration and expansion of the research’s scope.