A “Social Science of Solutions” for Healthcare

Abstract

The Unites States healthcare system is a patchwork, and patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers must craft individual solutions to cope with gaps in the system. Sociological thinking is crucial for forming healthcare systems that provide high-quality care, control cost, and increase access without inheriting the flaws of existing systems. Recent work to develop a “social science of solutions” provides both motivation and a roadmap for progress-oriented work toward redressing social problems and building real utopias. Collaborative Learning Health Systems may be a model for real utopias in healthcare, but they must balance their potential with risks as they grow.