A systems engineering approach to medicine

Abstract Human physiology is a complex system of systems such that it is impossible for clinicians to be able to consider all elements in a diagnosis. Medicine is becoming more quantitative and predictive mathematical models are becoming much more common and are being used to help in diagnosis and treatment. Chemical engineers have much experience of developing and using methodologies to tackle systems analysis for example with chemical manufacturing systems consisting of complex chemistry, fluid flow and collections of connected units. The paper seeks to show parallels with the complex metabolism, blood flow and interconnected systems of organs and how engineering methodologies are needed to make the use of these systems of models to help clinicians make most use of all information available and to manage risks associated with complexity. Examples are drawn from cardiology, cancer and liver disease where some progress has been made.