The sciences of complexity and medical education

Abstract

In the last 20 years the relevance of the sciences of complexity in the biological sciences has become evident and medicine is no exception. There are many medical areas that already take advantage of the benefit of complex thinking in their clinical work. However, it is necessary to reflect on the complexity of medicine in the field of medical education and, more particularly, in clinical teaching. The role of complexity was considered as content, illustrated through basic concepts, conceptual oppositions, and well-known medical aphorisms. Complexity was also revised as a pedagogical strategy and a philosophy. In this way, it was shown that the presence of complex thinking in the teaching of medicine becomes increasingly essential.