Certainly uncertain – should we give this baby a transfusion?

The answer to a simple question: ‘should this premature infant be given a blood transfusion?’ is not simple. In fact, it is complex at many levels simultaneously. There is biological complexity, multimorbidity (several health conditions at the same time), social complexity, but also health care system level complexity, with unexplained variation in practice. In contrast, current medical research is mostly based on reductionist assumptions, targeting single interventions, assuming linearity, and ignoring context. On top of that, there is rampant lack of high quality evidence.

Our current answer to the simple question is a simple ‘evidence based’ guideline. But is this really the best possible care?

In this talk, Suzanne Fustolo-Gunnink will highlight the complexity of neonatal transfusion research, as an example of complexity in medical research in general. She will discuss how a complexity science perspective could help rephrase questions, identify alternative methods, cope with unpredictability, and allocate research resources. The aim of the meeting is to have a stimulating and constructive discussion on this topic, to identify opportunities for collaboration, and to provide input for further (research) projects.

Programme