Abstract
A large number of studies have applied simulation to a multitude of issues relating to healthcare. These studies have been published in a number of unrelated publishing outlets, which may hamper the widespread reference and use of such resources. In this paper, we analyse existing research in healthcare simulation in order to categorise and synthesise it in a meaningful manner. Hence, the aim of this paper is to conduct a review of the literature pertaining to simulation research within healthcare in order to ascertain its current development. A review of approximately 250 high-quality journal papers published between 1970 and 2007 on healthcare-related simulation research was conducted. The results present a classification of the healthcare publications according to the simulation techniques they employ; the impact of published literature in healthcare simulation; a report on demonstration and implementation of the studies’ results; the sources of funding; and the software used. Healthcare planners and researchers will benefit from this study by having ready access to an indicative article collection of simulation techniques applied to healthcare problems that are clustered under meaningful headings. This study facilitates the understanding of the potential of different simulation techniques in solving diverse healthcare problems.
Chapter PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Keywords
- Monte Carlo Simulation
- Monte Carlo Simulation
- Simulation Technique
- Health Risk Assessment
- Discrete Event Simulation
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
References
Amoako-Gympah K and Meredith JR (1989). The operations management research agenda: An update. J Opns Mngt 8: 250–262.
Bagni R, Berchi R and Cariello P (2002). A comparison of simulation models applied to epidemics. JASSS 5 (3).
Barrios JMR, Serrano D and Monleon T et al (2008). Discrete-event simula-tion models in the economic evaluation of health technologies and health products. Gac Sanit 22: 151–161.
Barton P, Bryan S and Robinson S (2004). Modelling in the economic evalua-tion of health care: selecting the appropriate approach. J Health Serv Res Pol 9: 110–118.
Brennan A and Akehurst R (2000). Modeling in health economic evaluation: What is its place? What is its value? Pharmacoeconomics 17: 445–459.
Dexter F (1999). Design of appointment systems for preanesthesia evaluation clinics to minimize patient waiting times: A review of computer simulation and patient survey studies. Anesth Analg 89: 925–931.
Eddama O and Coast J (2008). A systematic review of the use of economic evaluation in local decision-making. Health Policy 86: 129–141.
Eldabi T, Paul RJ and Taylor SJE (2000). Simulating economic factors in adjuvant breast cancer treatment. J Opl Res Soc 51: 465–475.
Eldabi T, Paul RJ and Young T (2007). Simulation modelling in healthcare: Reviewing legacies and investigating futures. J Opl Res Soc 58: 262–270.
England W and Roberts S (1978). Applications of computer simulation in health care. In: Highland HJ, Hull LG and Neilsen NR (eds). Proceedings of the 1978 Winter Simulation Conference. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers: Miami Beach; Florida; USA, 4–6 December, pp 665–676.
Eveborn P, Flisberg P and Rannqvist M (2006). LAPS-CARE—an operational system for staff planning of home care. Eur J Opl Res 171: 962–976.
Fone D et al (2003). Systematic review of the use and value of computer simulation modelling in population health and health care delivery. J Public Health 25: 325–335.
Hay JW (2004). Evaluation and review of pharmacoeconomic models. Informa Pharma Sci 5: 1867–1880.
Hollocks BW (2006). Forty years of discrete-event simulation—A personal reflection. J Opl Res Soc 57: 1383–1399.
Jahangirian M, Eldabi T, Naseer A, Stergioulas LK and Young T (2009). Simulation in manufacturing and business: A review. Eur J Opl Res 203: 1–13.
Jun J, Jacobson S and Swisher J (1999). Application of discrete-event simulation in health care clinics: A survey. J Opl Res Soc 50: 109–123.
Murphy KM and Topel R (2003). The economic value of medical research. In: Measuring the Gains from Medical Research: An Economic Approachc. University of Chicago Press: Chicago, pp 41–73.
Pannirselvam GP, Ferguson LA, Ash RC and Siferd SP (1999). Operations management research: An update for the 1990s. J Opns Mngt 18: 95–112.
Pidd M (2004). Systems Modelling: Theory and Practice. John Wiley & Sons: Chichester, England.
Robinson S (1994). Successful Simulation: A Practical Approach to Simulation Projects. McGraw-Hill Companies: Maidenhead, England.
Robinson S (2005). Discrete-event simulation: From the pioneers to the present, what next? J Opl Res Soc 56: 619–629.
Royston P (1999). The use of fractional polynomials to model continuous risk variables in epidemiology. Int J Epidemiol 28: 964–974.
Rubinstein RY (1981). Simulation and the Monte Carlo Method. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: New York, NY, USA.
Smith-Daniels VL, Schweikhart SB and Smith-Daniels DE (1988). Capacity management in health care services: Review and future research directions. Decis Sci 19: 889–918.
Sterman JD (2001). System dynamics modelling. Calif Mngt Rev 43: 8.
Taylor K and Lane D (1998). Simulation applied to health services: Opportunities for applying the system dynamics approach. J Health Serv Res Policy 3: 226–232.
Wand Z (2009). The convergence of health care expenditure in the US states. Health Econ 18: 55–70.
Wierzbicki AP (2007). Modelling as a way of organising knowledge. Eur J Opl Res 176: 610–635.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2016 Operational Research Society
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Katsaliaki, K., Mustafee, N. (2016). Applications of Simulation within the Healthcare Context. In: Mustafee, N. (eds) Operational Research for Emergency Planning in Healthcare: Volume 2. The OR Essentials series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-137-57328-5_12
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-137-57328-5_12
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-56811-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-57328-5
eBook Packages: Business and ManagementBusiness and Management (R0)