A systems approach to a deeper understanding of a cancer care domain

The article demonstrates the use of a holistic systems approach (soft systems methodology [SSM]) in the analysis of the cancer care domain to identify whether this creates a system more appropriate to the needs of cancer care teams within the NHS. It describes the current stage of a research project by the Department of Computer Science at Cardiff University in collaboration with Velindre NHS Trust, the South East Wales cancer centre. The aim of the project is to provide information effectively to cancer care teams by creating a system to extend the current cancer network (the Information System for Clinical Organization [ISCO]) to primary care. This extension will provide a communication bridge between primary care and the cancer network. The article gives an overview of the project, followed by a detailed discussion and justification of the holistic approach adopted by the use of SSM, and concludes with a critical evaluation.