A systems science approach to fatigue management in research and health care

The purpose of this article was to highlight innovative analytic approaches in symptom science. Complex systems modeling is discussed using fatigue as an example. Fatigue is a common symptom among individuals of any age. It can be acute or chronic, and it can vary across the day and on weekends compared with weekdays. Fatigue can overlap with other symptoms, has many dimensions, and impacts daily function as well as society at large. With the complexities surrounding symptom science, innovative models are needed to advance our understanding of factors within the person, contextual and situational factors, and workplace or health care system factors that impact the symptom experience. Advances in methodologies, such as complex systems modeling, allow for more innovative methods to study the complexities of the symptom experience, design better ways to intervene and manage symptoms, and ultimately improve outcomes related to symptom management, quality of life, and health care utilization.