Session 6: Simulation, modeling, analysis and computer applications

Author(s):  
Ian W. Gibson

Healthcare has delivered incredible improvements in diagnosis and treatment of diseases but faces challenges to improve the delivery of services. Healthcare is a complex system using expensive and scarce resources. Benchmarking, experience, and lean management techniques currently provide the basis for developing service delivery models and facility planning. Simulation modeling can supplement these methods to enable a better understanding of the complex systems involved. This provides the basis for developing and evaluating options to provide improved healthcare delivery. Simulation modeling enables a better understanding of the processes and the resources used in delivering healthcare services and improving healthcare delivery systems. Options to improve the cost effectiveness can be evaluated without experimenting with patients. This chapter reviews the current challenges and methods including the use of simulation modeling. Analysis of emergency patient flows through a major hospital shows the capability of simulation modeling to enable improvement of the healthcare delivery system. This chapter enables healthcare managers to understand the power simulation modeling brings to the improvement of healthcare delivery.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prathiba Natesan Batley ◽  
Ratna Nandakumar ◽  
Jayme M. Palka ◽  
Pragya Shrestha

Recently, there has been an increased interest in developing statistical methodologies for analyzing single case experimental design (SCED) data to supplement visual analysis. Some of these are simulation-driven such as Bayesian methods because Bayesian methods can compensate for small sample sizes, which is a main challenge of SCEDs. Two simulation-driven approaches: Bayesian unknown change-point model (BUCP) and simulation modeling analysis (SMA) were compared in the present study for three real datasets that exhibit “clear” immediacy, “unclear” immediacy, and delayed effects. Although SMA estimates can be used to answer some aspects of functional relationship between the independent and the outcome variables, they cannot address immediacy or provide an effect size estimate that considers autocorrelation as required by the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Standards. BUCP overcomes these drawbacks of SMA. In final analysis, it is recommended that both visual and statistical analyses be conducted for a thorough analysis of SCEDs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 455-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoff Goodman ◽  
Hyewon Chung ◽  
Leah Fischel ◽  
Laura Athey-Lloyd

This study examined the sequential relations among three pertinent variables in child psychotherapy: therapeutic alliance (TA) (including ruptures and repairs), autism symptoms, and adherence to child-centered play therapy (CCPT) process. A 2-year CCPT of a 6-year-old Caucasian boy diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder was conducted weekly with two doctoral-student therapists, working consecutively for 1 year each, in a university-based community mental-health clinic. Sessions were video-recorded and coded using the Child Psychotherapy Process Q-Set (CPQ), a measure of the TA, and an autism symptom measure. Sequential relations among these variables were examined using simulation modeling analysis (SMA). In Therapist 1’s treatment, unexpectedly, autism symptoms decreased three sessions after a rupture occurred in the therapeutic dyad. In Therapist 2’s treatment, adherence to CCPT process increased 2 weeks after a repair occurred in the therapeutic dyad. The TA decreased 1 week after autism symptoms increased. Finally, adherence to CCPT process decreased 1 week after autism symptoms increased. The authors concluded that (1) sequential relations differ by therapist even though the child remains constant, (2) therapeutic ruptures can have an unexpected effect on autism symptoms, and (3) changes in autism symptoms can precede as well as follow changes in process variables.


2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-103
Author(s):  
Erin G. Volpe ◽  
Michael R. Nash

This is a single-case study of a middle-aged woman with specific phobia and panic symptoms associated with airplanes. Treatment was brief and supportive in nature, using hypnosis for both exposure purposes and as a self-regulatory tool for anxiety management. The patient’s identified target symptom (readiness to fly) was tracked using daily subjective, self-report measures over the 12-session treatment. Simulation modeling analysis for time-series was used to evaluate the level change across baseline, treatment, and follow-up phases. The patient’s self-assessed readiness to fly increased significantly over the course of treatment, and she successfully engaged in a “practice flight” toward the end of her treatment. However, this patient required a drastic shift in treatment modality, after which progress was made. Theoretical rationale for this shift and ultimate success is discussed.


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