Policymaking based on the Chaos Theory under COVID-19 Conditions

Chaos, information uncertainty, and instability are characteristics of the chaotic situation experienced in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The health system has been severely damaged under such circumstances. The basic way to deal with this situation is to understand the crisis correctly, and accept the chaotic situation. Chaos theory emphasizes solutions that take into account discontinuities in events, and provides appropriate solutions to deal with the problems. Using the features of chaos theory to assist health decision makers and policymakers in managing COVID-19 pandemic, the following recommendations can be proposed: focus on short-term (vs. long-term) decision-making, contingent and flexible planning, proper application of innovative approaches in policymaking, creating structures and systems, discovering order within chaos and disorder. In the health policy system, the managers who change their mental models according to the circumstances instead of following the old principles, develop and implement their activities based on models far from stable and dynamic equilibrium, is an undeniable necessity.