The 2026 challenge: turning wicked problems into living evidence for care, health innovation, and evaluation in a post-truth political economy

Maria Alejandra  Pinero de Plaza

The 2026 challenge: turning wicked problems into living evidence for care, health innovation, and evaluation in a post-truth political economy

Maria Alejandra Pinero de Plaza

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Research output: Other contribution

Abstract

Across healthcare systems, the hardest problems are “wicked”, not because we lack ideas, but because there is no single agreed-upon definition of success, and every solution changes the system it enters. In that terrain, innovation fails when systems cannot learn together fast enough.
Published in Public Health, Mathematical & Computational Engineering Applications, and Law, Politics & International Studies

Feb 18, 2026

Original language	English
Type	Blogpost
Media of output	Online
Publisher	Springer Nature
Publication status	Published - 18 Feb 2026

Publication series

Name	Springer Nature Research Communities
Publisher	Springer Nature

Keywords

Evaluation and impact
Policy administration
artificial intelligence (AI)
PUBLIC HEALTH
health service decision-making
Implementation science
prediction model
Mixed method research

NTRO Type of Output

Major

Access to Document

https://go.nature.com/3OzMCEJLicence: CC BY-NC

safe@home: effectiveness and cost effectiveness of telemonitoring and virtual care supported by primary care for people living with chronic disease in low socioeconomic neighbourhoods for reducing ambulance ramping, readmission and GP clinic block.
Clark, R. (Chief Investigator (Project Lead)), Kaambwa, B. (Chief Investigator), Cleland, J. (Chief Investigator), Inglis, S. (Chief Investigator), Tirimacco, R. (Chief Investigator), Maddison , J. (Chief Investigator), George, S. (Chief Investigator), Tideman, P. (Chief Investigator), Beleigoli, A. (Chief Investigator), Bulamu, N. B. (Chief Investigator), Chaudry, A. (Associate Investigator), Gulyani, A. (Associate Investigator), Pinero de Plaza, M. A. (Associate Investigator), Morton, E. (Associate Investigator), Dawes, N. (Associate Investigator), Briggs, J. (Associate Investigator), Lyon-Green, J. (Associate Investigator), Tallboy, T. (Associate Investigator), Taylor, A. (Associate Investigator) & Okonjo, B. (Associate Investigator)
1/05/23 → 30/04/27
Project: Research

4 Article
1 Conference contribution
1 Abstract
1 Poster
More
- 1 Other contribution

Advancing Digital Evaluation for Inter-Professional Education: A PROLIFERATE_AI Mixed-Methods Analysis
Pinero De Plaza, M. A., 12 Nov 2025, Health. Innovation. Community: Engage. Disrupt. Transform: Papers from the 29th Australasian Institute of Digital Health’s Health Innovation Community (HIC2025) Conference . Bichel-Findlay, J. (ed.). Amsterdam: IOS Press, p. 82-86 5 p. (Studies in health technology and informatics; vol. 333).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Open Access
File
3 Downloads (Pure)
Applying the Caring Life-Course Theory to Explore Prostate Cancer Survivors’ Care Needs, Care Trajectories, And Self-Care Behaviors: A Qualitative Study
Lawless, M. T., Pinero de Plaza, M. A., Thamm, C., Kitson, A. & Paterson, C., Dec 2025, In: Seminars in Oncology Nursing. 41, 6, 9 p., 152017.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
2 Citations (Scopus)

2 Downloads (Pure)
Exploring the Fundamentals of Care Framework through a Predictive Model: Insights from a Pilot Study in Australian Healthcare Settings
Pinero de Plaza, M. A., Allande Cusso, R., Conroy, T., Porcel-Gálvez, A. M., Feo, R., Chipchase, L., Adams, A. M. N., Parr, J. & Kitson, A., 16 Jun 2025. 2 p.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review

Open Access

CSIRO On Prime Innovation Reward 2024
Pinero de Plaza, M. A. (Recipient), Marmolejo Ramos, F. (Recipient) & Morton, E. (Recipient), 20 Nov 2024
Prize
The Vice-President & Executive Dean’s Awards 2021
Pinero de Plaza, A. (Recipient), 14 Dec 2021
Prize

File
The Vice-President & Executive Dean’s Awards 2022
Pinero de Plaza, M. A. (Recipient), 13 Dec 2022
Prize: Honorary award

File

1 Invited talk
1 Oral presentation
1 Visiting an external academic institution

University of the Third Age (U3A)
Pinero de Plaza, M. A. (Visiting researcher)
12 Feb 2026
Activity: Visiting an external institution types › Visiting an external academic institution

File
Health Translation SA (HTSA) Research Seminar Series: Partnering with Frail, Homebound, and Bedridden People (#FHBP): Consumer-Led and Co-Designed Knowledge Translation
Pinero de Plaza, M. A. (Author) & McMillan, P. (Author)
23 Jul 2025
Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation

File
Guest Speaker – ON Prime 17 Adelaide (CSIRO Innovation Program)
Pinero de Plaza, M. A. (Author)
8 May 2025
Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk

Cite this

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The 2026 challenge: turning wicked problems into living evidence for care, health innovation, and evaluation in a post-truth political economy

Abstract

Publication series

Keywords

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Access to Document

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Research output

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Cite this