Accessible, stable, and equitable health service network redesign: A robust mixed possibilistic-flexible approach. (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mousazadeh, M.; Torabi, S. Ali; Pishvaee, M.S.; Abolhassani, F.
• Is Part Of: Transportation research. Volume 111(2018)
• Page Start: 113
• Page End: 129
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: Health services network design -- Hierarchical location-allocation -- Referral system -- Interactive augmented ε-constraint; Logistics -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Periodicals; 388.011
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tre.2018.01.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1366-5545

Abstract

Highlights: Developing a novel MILP model for health service network redesign problem. Tailoring a robust mixed possibilistic-flexible programming approach to cope with different sources of uncertainty. Developing an accelerated interactive augmented ε-constraint method to generate the Pareto front. Providing a real case study to assess the applicability of the developed model and its solution method. Abstract: This paper addresses a multi-period three-level health service network redesign problem. The problem involves strategic decisions on locating, closing or expanding the capacity of network's facilities over the planning horizon, (re)designing an efficient referral system and (re)allocating patient zones to facilities while aiming at achieving an accessible, stable, and equitable network. A robust mixed possibilistic-flexible programming approach is devised to cope with imprecise parameters and soft constraints. Afterwards an improved augmented ε -constraint method is proposed to find the Pareto front. Finally, a real case study is provided to illustrate the performance of the proposed model and its solution procedure.