Catalyzing Transdisciplinarity: A Systems Ethnography of Cancer-Obesity Comorbidity and Risk Coincidence. Qual Health Res 2017 May;27(6):877-892
Date
07/06/2016Pubmed ID
27378132DOI
10.1177/1049732316656162Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85018279136 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 4 CitationsAbstract
Effectively addressing wicked health problems, that is, those arising from complex multifactorial biological and socio-economic causes, requires transdisciplinary action. However, a significant body of research points toward substantial difficulties in cultivating transdisciplinary collaboration. Accordingly, this article presents the results of a study that adapts Systems Ethnography and Qualitative Modeling (SEQM) in response to wicked health problems. SEQM protocols were designed to catalyze transdisciplinary responses to national defense concerns. We adapted these protocols to address cancer-obesity comorbidity and risk coincidence. In so doing, we conducted participant-observations and interviews with a diverse range of health care providers, community health educators, and health advocacy professionals who target either cancer or obesity. We then convened a transdisciplinary conference designed to catalyze a coordinated response. The findings offer productive insights into effective ways of catalyzing transdisciplinarity in addressing wicked health problems action and demonstrate the promise of SEQM for continued use in health care contexts.
Author List
Graham SS, Harley A, Kessler MM, Roberts L, DeVasto D, Card DJ, Neuner JM, Kim SYAuthors
Amy Harley PhD Assistant Professor in the School of Public Health department at University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeJoan Neuner MD, MPH Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAged
Aged, 80 and over
Anthropology, Cultural
Comorbidity
Female
Humans
Interdisciplinary Communication
Male
Middle Aged
Midwestern United States
Neoplasms
Obesity
