Brought to you by the University of Alberta, College of Health Sciences. Developed by Dr. Stephanie Montesanti and Joelle Fawcett-Arsenault.
Healthcare today is more interconnected and more complex than ever. To make real change, professionals need to see beyond their own roles and understand how teams, processes, and systems fit together. That’s the power of Systems Thinking: it gives you the perspective to strengthen collaboration, drive innovation, and improve patient outcomes.
This course moves you past fragmented approaches and equips you to see a more connected, high-performing healthcare system. You’ll begin with a 3-hour in-person simulation game, an immersive experience that brings healthcare system challenges to life. From there, you’ll continue online with two self-directed asynchronous modules that combine academic expertise with practical tools. Practical real-world case studies also help participants apply these concepts to complex healthcare challenges.
Who Should Take This Course?
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Healthcare Administration, Leaders/Managers
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Health Professional Frontline staff
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Students enrolled in healthcare-related programs
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Internationally educated healthcare professionals
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
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define systems thinking and its relevance to healthcare.
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identify key principles of systems thinking.
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apply systems thinking tools to team-based care scenarios.
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recognize the value of systems thinking in improving communication, coordination, and patient outcomes.
Course Dates:
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November 26, 2025 in-person, then asynchronous course: Nov 26/25-Jan 14/26 (EARLY BIRD RATE)
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January 21, 2026 in-person, then asynchronous course: Jan 21- March 4/26
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March 11, 2026 in-person, then asynchronous course: March 11 - Apr 22/26
How to Apply
Once you have submitted payment, you will receive an email with information on the next steps and access to the course.
A 100% refund of the course fee is available to students who withdraw before the first day of the course.
Course Format
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3-hour in-person simulation game
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online, self-directed, asynchronous
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approx. 6 - 8 hours
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video presentations
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curated readings/videos
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knowledge checks
After the simulation game, participants have 6 weeks to complete the online course at their own pace.
Course Completion / Recognition
This course does not assign official grades. However, to receive a Certificate of Completion, participants must complete all learning activities and score at least 75% on the knowledge check quizzes. Participants are given unlimited quiz attempts.
Additional Information:
This course can be taken as part of the Team-Based Collaborative Care (TBCC) Certificate or completed as a standalone course. If you are interested in the TBCC Certificate, you must complete the Foundations Course as well as 3 other course offerings.
Questions
Contact us at: chsmc@ualberta.ca