Systems Thinking in Public Health

Program Description:

This dynamic and immersive training program developed by Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health faculty and facilitated in collaboration with the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute (GKII) at Johns Hopkins is designed for senior public health officials and other key stakeholders in the health sector. Participants will engage in a hands-on simulation, ‘Friday Night at the ER,’ which serves as a catalyst for understanding and applying systems thinking in a public health context. This highly engaging learning experience emphasizes three core strategies of effective Systems Thinking: Collaboration, Innovation, and Data-Driven Management.

Through this training, participants will:

  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of systems thinking and its critical components.
  • Explore practical applications of Collaboration, Innovation, and Data-Driven Management within the public health framework.
  • Analyze real-world structural barriers that impede these strategies and brainstorm effective solutions to overcome them.
  • Enhance leadership and decision-making skills by engaging in a simulated hospital management scenario.

This hands-on (2-hour) workshop not only fosters team building and leadership development but also drives quality and process improvement, strategic planning, and cultural change within public health organizations. By the end of this training, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to implement systems thinking strategies effectively, promoting positive outcomes and driving transformative change in their practice.

*This training program may be customized to organizational needs and scenarios.  Contact the GKII Program Team at [email protected] for more information.

Past Events

In Conversation: Innovative Leadership Training for India's Civil Servants

As governance challenges become more intricate and multifaceted, the ability to make strategic, informed decisions is crucial for public administrators. In response to this need, the GKII and the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) partnered to deliver a cutting-edge leadership training program for India’s Civil Services officers. Central to this initiative is the Friday Night at Emergency Room (FNER) simulation, which is designed to sharpen decision-making under pressure and equip officers with tools to manage complex, real-world crises.

Delivering Innovative Systems Thinking Training to IAS Officers at LBSNAA

On July 3, 2024, the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute (GKII) at Johns Hopkins University, in partnership with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, conducted a Friday Night at the Emergency Room (FNER) simulation training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA). This innovative collaboration, as part of LBSNAA’s Mid-Career Training Program, engaged 83 IAS Officers who have completed 10-15 years of service, aiming to enhance their systems thinking capabilities in public health and beyond.

Nurturing Leadership Excellence at LBSNAA

On October 30, 2023, the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute at Johns Hopkins University together with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, collaborated with the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) to host a Friday Night at the Emergency Room (FNER) session as part of a public health training program for mid-career civil servants representing 14 different All-India services.