Complexity Science in Mental Health

Implementation and Complexity Science in Mental Health

The Implementation and Complexity Science in Mental Health research program is part of the Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science at the Australian Institute of Health Innovation.

Project Members - Macquarie University

Yvonne Zurynski – Associate Professor, Health Systems Sustainability E:yvonne.zurynski@mq.edu.au

Louise Ellis – Research Fellow E:louise.ellis@mq.edu.au

Jeffrey Braithwaite – Professor and Director E:jeffrey.braithwaite@mq.edu.au

Project Description

Conventional approaches to evidence that prioritise randomised controlled trials appear increasingly insufficient for the evaluation of complex mental health interventions. Rather than asking whether complex interventions work, our research focuses instead on identifying if and how such interventions contribute to reshaping the health system in favourable ways. Through use of the latest implementation science and complexity science approaches, our research seeks to unpick some of the messy complexities of real-world applications of complex interventions, with the goal of improving mental healthcare. We heavily utilise qualitative methods, such as observation and interviews, often in combination with quantitative methods. We look at the links and disconnects of agents in a complex mental health system through novel techniques such as social network analysis.

Publications

Braithwaite, J., Churruca, K., Ellis, L. A., Long, J., Clay-Williams, R., Damen, N., Herkes, J., Pomare, C., & Ludlow, K. (2017). Complexity science in healthcare. Aspirations, approaches, applications and accomplishments. A white paper. Sydney, Aust: Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University.

Braithwaite, J., Churruca, K., Long, J. C., Ellis, L. A., & Herkes, J. (2018). When complexity science meets implementation science: a theoretical and empirical analysis of systems change. BMC Medicine, 16(1), 1-14. [63]. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-018-1057-z

Ellis, L. A., Churruca, K., & Braithwaite, J. (2017). Mental health services conceptualised as complex adaptive systems: what can be learned? International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 11(1), 1-5. [43]. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-017-0150-6

Ellis, L. A., Augustsson, H., Grødahl, A. I., Pomare, C., Churruca, K., Long, J. C., Ludlow,K., Zurynski, Y. A., & Braithwaite, J. (2020). Implementation of e-mental health for depression and anxiety: a critical scoping review. Journal of Community Psychology, 48(3), 904-920. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22309

Ellis, L. A., Wiles, L. K., Selig, R., Churruca, K., Lingam, R., Long, J. C., ... CareTrack Kids Investigative Team (2019). Assessing the quality of care for paediatric depression and anxiety in Australia: a population-based sample survey. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 53(10), 1013-1025. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004867419866512

Pomare, C., Ellis, L. A., Churruca, K., Long, J. C., & Braithwaite, J. (2018). The Reality of Uncertainty in Mental Health Care Settings Seeking Professional Integration: A Mixed-Methods Approach. International journal of integrated care, 18(4).

Pomare, C., Long, J. C., Ellis, L. A., Churruca, K., & Braithwaite, J. (2018). Interprofessional collaboration in mental health settings: a social network analysis. Journal of interprofessional care.

Zurynski, Y., Ellis, L. A., Tong, H. L., Laranjo da Silva, L., Clay-Williams, R., Testa, L., & Groedahl, A. (2019). Effectiveness of mental health electronic medical records: an Evidence Check rapid review brokered by the Sax Institute for the NSW Ministry of Health. Sydney: The Sax Institute.

Other publications

Ellis, L., Wiles, L., Lingam, R., Arnolda, G., Hibbert, P., & Braithwaite, J. (2020). Children with anxiety and depression may be at greater risk due to gaps in care. Emerging Minds, June, 2020. https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/children-with-anxiety-and-depression-may-be-at-greater-risk-due-to-gaps-in-care/