Handling uncertainty in health care management using the cardinality-constrained approach: Advantages and remarks. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Addis, Bernardetta; Carello, Giuliana; Grosso, Andrea; Lanzarone, Ettore; Mattia, Sara; Tànfani, Elena
• Is Part Of: Operations research for health care. Volume 4(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 4
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Robustness -- Cardinality-constrained approach -- Surgical case assignment -- Continuity in home care; Medical care -- Mathematical models -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Mathematical models -- Periodicals; Health services administration -- Mathematical models -- Periodicals; Operations research -- Periodicals; Operations Research -- Periodicals; Health Services Research -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Delivery of Health Care -- Periodicals; 362.106805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.orhc.2014.10.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-6923

Abstract

Abstract: Different approaches have been proposed in the literature to handle uncertain parameters in health care optimisation problems. Among them, the cardinality-constrained approach to robust optimisation seems suitable for handling several of these problems because it allows a trade-off between the level of robustness and the cost of the solution, and an easy implementation that can be understood by clinicians and planners without any background in operations research. Thus far, however, cardinality-constrained approach has rarely been applied to health care. We recently applied the cardinality-constrained approach to two relevant health care management problems, namely, the operating room planning problem and the nurse-to-patient assignment problem in home care services. In this communication, we briefly describe our experience and focus on general considerations, advantages, and remarks that can help operations researchers in evaluating the approach for other applications in health care management.