Lessons from mixing OR methods in practice: using DES and SD to explore a radiotherapy treatment planning process

Jennifer Sian Morgan, Val Belton and Susan Howick

Health Systems, 2016, vol. 5, issue 3, 166-177

Abstract: Mixing Operational Research (OR) methods is becoming more commonplace. Discrete-Event Simulation (DES) and System Dynamics (SD) are popular modelling methods previously applied to a range of situations for various purposes, which are starting to be mixed in healthcare. However, the practicalities of mixing DES and SD in practice remain unclear. Radiotherapy treatment is a complex multi-stage process where technology and best practice continue to evolve. This paper describes a project undertaken to explore the treatment planning process using mixed OR methods. It presents insights obtained through mixing OR methods within a real-world project. The model development process, the role of each modelling method and the benefits of undertaking a mixed OR methods project design are described. Lessons for mixing DES and SD, and more generally mixing OR methods, are discussed.

Date: 2016
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Downloads: (external link)
http://hdl.handle.net/10.1057/hs.2016.4 (text/html)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:taf:thssxx:v:5:y:2016:i:3:p:166-177

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.tandfonline.com/pricing/journal/thss20

DOI: 10.1057/hs.2016.4

Access Statistics for this article

Health Systems is currently edited by Sally Brailsford

More articles in Health Systems from Taylor & Francis Journals
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Chris Longhurst ().