Simulating health systems: modelling problems and software solutions

Huw T.O. Davies*, Ruth Davies

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Discrete event simulation is well suited to modelling health systems, providing valuable information for operational or strategic purposes. Simulation packages provide facilities for creating models in which individuals pass through a series of queues and activities. Modelling problems arise in health systems because patients renege from queues, take part in multiple activities, prematurely terminate activities, and change activities midstream. Simulation structures have been developed in Pascal to facilitate the description of these modelling complexities. Illustrations of the software's use are taken from an example of a simulation of patients with renal failure.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)35-44
    Number of pages10
    JournalEuropean Journal of Operational Research
    Volume87
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 16 Nov 1995

    Keywords

    • Health services
    • Information
    • Simulation
    • Software

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