Evaluating policies using agent–based simulations: investigating policies for continuity of care. (18th December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ramsey, Gregory W.
• Is Part Of: International journal of simulation and process modelling. Volume 9:Number 4(2014)
• Page Start: 255
• Page End: 269
• Publication Date: 2014-12-18
• Subjects: clinical policies -- agent–based simulation -- type 2 diabetes -- continuity of care -- policy simulation -- computational modelling -- policy evaluation -- policy investigation -- agent–based systems -- multi–agent systems -- MAS -- policy effects -- diabetic patients -- continuous care -- opportunistic care -- patient outcomes; Management -- Computer simulation -- Periodicals; Mathematical models -- Periodicals; Operations research -- Periodicals; Simulation methods -- Periodicals; 003.05
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1740-2123

Abstract

Anticipating effects of proposed clinical policies is a difficult task. This study investigates the usefulness of agent–based simulations for evaluating clinical policies. Two policies for continuity of care for patients with type 2 diabetes are investigated using an agent–based simulation. Computational models of a dynamic decision environment were simulated to determine aggregated effects of individual care–providing agents acting to achieve clinical goals. The simulated policies were: 1) continuous care (CC), where each patient was randomly assigned a specific physician model for care across visits; 2) opportunistic care (OC), where each patient on each visit was randomly assigned to a physician model for treatment. These policy scenarios are at the crux of a debate as to whether continuity of care needs to be administered by a single provider or by a single organisation (e.g., clinic). The study determines under which conditions CC and OC policies result in favourable patient outcomes.