The Role of Complexity Dynamics in the Innovation Process within the new Primary-Care Governance Model in Portugal

The USF (family health unit) is a new type of healthcare unit defined by the Ministry of Health to enhance access to primary-care while improving efficiencies. USF governance model is based on more adequate public management methods and it introduces new practices of collaboration associated with “self-organization” environments. In this paper we explore the complexity theory concepts and applications to address the challenge of primary care networks deployment. To know how to deal with diversity and uncertainty in daily work and to acknowledge that ideas that emerge from daily problem-solving can actually contribute towards innovation and quality improvement processes. The theoretical framework is introduced and the USF model is analyzed.