scholarly journals From behavioural simulation to computer models: how simulation can be used to improve healthcare management and policy

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Lamé ◽  
Rebecca K Simmons

Simulation is a technique that evokes or replicates substantial aspects of the real world, in order to experiment with a simplified imitation of an operations system, for the purpose of better understanding and/or improving that system. Simulation provides a safe environment for investigating individual and organisational behaviour and a risk-free testbed for new policies and procedures. Therefore, it can complement or replace direct field observations and trial-and-error approaches, which can be time consuming, costly and difficult to carry out. However, simulation has low adoption as a research and improvement tool in healthcare management and policy-making. The literature on simulation in these fields is dispersed across different disciplinary traditions and typically focuses on a single simulation method. In this article, we examine how simulation can be used to investigate, understand and improve management and policy-making in healthcare organisations. We develop the rationale for using simulation and provide an integrative overview of existing approaches, using examples of in vivo behavioural simulations involving live participants, pure in silico computer simulations and intermediate approaches (virtual simulation) where human participants interact with computer simulations of health organisations. We also discuss the combination of these approaches to organisational simulation and the evaluation of simulation-based interventions.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-127
Author(s):  
César Castillo Romero ◽  
Gabriella Ricciardi

Congenital heart surgeons’ training is complex and challenging. The learning curve is long and the increasing complexity of pathologies is demanding. In order to develop adequate surgical-skill competencies, “in vivo” and simulation-based practicing are paramount. Simulation can be performed either on a computer screen or animal hearts and prosthetic models. In this article, we illustrate a porcine Wet Lab simulation for the Nikaidoh operation to point out its potential advantage to learn complex congenital surgery procedures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. eaba2458
Author(s):  
Weier Bao ◽  
Falin Tian ◽  
Chengliang Lyu ◽  
Bin Liu ◽  
Bin Li ◽  
...  

The poor understanding of the complex multistep process taken by nanocarriers during the delivery process limits the delivery efficiencies and further hinders the translation of these systems into medicine. Here, we describe a series of six self-assembled nanocarrier types with systematically altered physical properties including size, shape, and rigidity, as well as both in vitro and in vivo analyses of their performance in blood circulation, tumor penetration, cancer cell uptake, and anticancer efficacy. We also developed both data and simulation-based models for understanding the influence of physical properties, both individually and considered together, on each delivery step and overall delivery process. Thus, beyond finding that nanocarriers that are simultaneously endowed with tubular shape, short length, and low rigidity outperformed the other types, we now have a suit of theoretical models that can predict how nanocarrier properties will individually and collectively perform in the multistep delivery of anticancer therapies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7234
Author(s):  
Ahmad AlShwawra

The Government of Jordan declared that there are more than one million Syrian refugees in Jordan while UNHCR statistics show that the number is about 700,000. Nonetheless, it is still a large problem for Jordan, especially since there is no real solution that seems to be looming on the horizon for the Syrian crisis. Consequently, that means that those refugees’ stay in Jordan is indefinite. This fact requires Jordan to work towards solutions to avoid the warehousing of those refugees in camps and to integrate them in Jordanian community to ease their stay in Jordan. To achieve that integration, Jordan must facilitate the Syrians’ access to the Jordanian labor market so they can achieve self-reliance. In February 2016, donors gathered in London for the ‘Supporting Syria and the Region’ conference, known as the London Conference, to mobilize funding for the needs of the people affected by the Syrian crisis. In that conference, Jordan pledged to facilitate Syrian refugees’ access to the labor market. This paper will study the process of Syrian integration in Jordanian society by discussing the policies and the procedures that Jordan has developed to facilitate the Syrians’ access to the labor market. The event study method combined with interviews and desk research were used to evaluate the new policies and procedures developed to facilitate this access. It was found that Jordan succeeded in creating a legal and procedural environment that facilitates Syrians’ access to formal jobs, and the Syrians went a long way toward integration in Jordan. Nonetheless, they are still not fully integrated.


Heart Rhythm ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. S101-S102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal E. Conrath ◽  
Ronald Wilders ◽  
Ruben Coronel ◽  
Jacques M. De Bakker ◽  
Peter Taggart ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 6915-6932

Stroke is the leading cause of disability and death worldwide. Inhibition of sulfonylurea 1 receptor (SUR1) using glibenclamide previously has been studied in CNS ischemic tissues and faster recovery from stroke injury in different animal models of stroke. Unfortunately, glibenclamide cannot enter the brain through an intact brain membrane (BBB) due to its ionization at physiological pH. Therefore, it was hypothesized that compounds with structural properties similar to glibenclamide but with the ability to penetrate through BBB would be superior to glibenclamide in ischemic stroke. Docking energy and interactions of glibenclamide with SUR1 active site were assessed using AutoDock Vina. NCI databases search engines with limitations for penetration to CNS were used to find the best compounds with desired properties. Then two selected compounds were assessed with dynamic molecular studies. Two compounds called CID-415537 and CID-419074 with docking energies of -10.3 kcal/mol and -11 kcal/mol were identified. CID-415537 was selected as the best compound due to its proper interactions with SUR1 amino acids and stability in molecular dynamic simulation. Based on this study, compound CID-415537 would be a good candidate for a SUR1 inhibitor in ischemic stroke. However, further in vivo investigations are required to confirm these findings.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Blanks ◽  
Nicholas Woodier ◽  
Bryn Baxendale ◽  
Mark Fores ◽  
Lynn Fullerton

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of simulation-based techniques to prospectively assess developing polices prior to implementation.MethodsA self-selected sample of nursing staff from a local, acute hospital reviewed a draft intravenous drug administration policy before simulating drug administration of either an infusion or direct injection. The participants completed a postsimulation questionnaire regarding the new policy and simulation, took part in a semistructured interview and were observed during the simulation with their consent.Results10 staff attended the simulation. The emergent themes identified a wide range of factors relating to the everyday usability and practicalities of the policy. There were issues surrounding inconsistent language between different clinical teams and training requirements for the new policy.ConclusionSimulation, using simple scenarios, allows the safe evaluation of new policies before publication to ensure they are appropriate for front-line use. It engages staff in user-centred design in their own healthcare system.


Author(s):  
Antonio Feraco ◽  
Wolfgang Müller-Wittig

In Singapore, ICT plays a key role in enabling technology for most of the sectors, several initiatives have been launched to gather insights from these large amount of data, and the utilization of visual solutions as a means to provide useful insights represents the basis for policymakers' decisions. In addition, Singapore is promoting the usage of new channels of communications to optimise the processes of e-Participation, to enhance public inputs in governmental activities, and other initiatives to gather insights from geo-spatial, behavioural, commercial, and scientific data. This chapter provides an overview about Singapore IT strategy development and the relation between government and key stakeholders to define and establish new policies, governance, and the framework implemented through the value add provided by IT and visual solutions ad-hoc utilised.


Author(s):  
Jill Dixon ◽  
Nancy Abashian

It is inevitable that library staff will need to respond to natural disasters and emergency situations – often with little or no advance warning. An important part of emergency planning is addressing public and staff safety prior, during, and immediately following emergencies. All libraries need to develop a comprehensive emergency plan with clear, consistent, and concise policies and procedures for staff. The plan needs to provide detailed instructions for all types of potential emergency situations and should be periodically re-evaluated and updated to address new concerns or when new information or resources become available. This chapter will discuss the process of creating an emergency plan for public and staff safety, including reviewing resources, consulting with experts, developing new policies and procedures, and disseminating the information to staff.


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