Forecasting the shortage of neurosurgeons in Iran using a system dynamics model approach

Context: Shortage of physicians particularly in specialty levels is considered as an important issue in Iran health system. Thus, in an uncertain environment, long-term planning is required for health professionals as a basic priority on a national scale. Aims: This study aimed to estimate the numbe...

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Main Authors: Sima Rafiei, Arman Daneshvaran, Sina Abdollahzade
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2018-01-01
Series:Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.jehp.net/article.asp?issn=2277-9531;year=2018;volume=7;issue=1;spage=16;epage=16;aulast=Rafiei
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author Sima Rafiei
Arman Daneshvaran
Sina Abdollahzade
author_facet Sima Rafiei
Arman Daneshvaran
Sina Abdollahzade
author_sort Sima Rafiei
collection DOAJ
description Context: Shortage of physicians particularly in specialty levels is considered as an important issue in Iran health system. Thus, in an uncertain environment, long-term planning is required for health professionals as a basic priority on a national scale. Aims: This study aimed to estimate the number of required neurosurgeons using system dynamic modeling. Setting and Design: System dynamic modeling was applied to predict the gap between stock and number of required neurosurgeons in Iran up to 2020. Subjects and Methods: A supply and demand simulation model was constructed for neurosurgeons using system dynamic approach. The demand model included epidemiological, demographic, and utilization variables along with supply model-incorporated current stock of neurosurgeons and flow variables such as attrition, migration, and retirement rate. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were obtained from various governmental databases and were analyzed by Vensim PLE Version 3.0 to address the flow of health professionals, clinical infrastructure, population demographics, and disease prevalence during the time. Results: It was forecasted that shortage in number of neurosurgeons would disappear at 2020. The most dominant determinants on predicted number of neurosurgeons were the prevalence of neurosurgical diseases, the rate for service utilization, and medical capacity of the region. Conclusions: Shortage of neurosurgeons in some areas of the country relates to maldistribution of the specialists. Accordingly, there is a need to reconsider the allocation system for health professionals within the country instead of increasing the overall number of acceptance quota in training positions.
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spelling doaj.art-14b680b051b9441397fa8dbc2a7f0e812022-12-21T21:58:39ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Education and Health Promotion2277-95312018-01-0171161610.4103/jehp.jehp_35_16Forecasting the shortage of neurosurgeons in Iran using a system dynamics model approachSima RafieiArman DaneshvaranSina AbdollahzadeContext: Shortage of physicians particularly in specialty levels is considered as an important issue in Iran health system. Thus, in an uncertain environment, long-term planning is required for health professionals as a basic priority on a national scale. Aims: This study aimed to estimate the number of required neurosurgeons using system dynamic modeling. Setting and Design: System dynamic modeling was applied to predict the gap between stock and number of required neurosurgeons in Iran up to 2020. Subjects and Methods: A supply and demand simulation model was constructed for neurosurgeons using system dynamic approach. The demand model included epidemiological, demographic, and utilization variables along with supply model-incorporated current stock of neurosurgeons and flow variables such as attrition, migration, and retirement rate. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were obtained from various governmental databases and were analyzed by Vensim PLE Version 3.0 to address the flow of health professionals, clinical infrastructure, population demographics, and disease prevalence during the time. Results: It was forecasted that shortage in number of neurosurgeons would disappear at 2020. The most dominant determinants on predicted number of neurosurgeons were the prevalence of neurosurgical diseases, the rate for service utilization, and medical capacity of the region. Conclusions: Shortage of neurosurgeons in some areas of the country relates to maldistribution of the specialists. Accordingly, there is a need to reconsider the allocation system for health professionals within the country instead of increasing the overall number of acceptance quota in training positions.http://www.jehp.net/article.asp?issn=2277-9531;year=2018;volume=7;issue=1;spage=16;epage=16;aulast=RafieiDemandforecastshortagesupplysystem dynamics
spellingShingle Sima Rafiei
Arman Daneshvaran
Sina Abdollahzade
Forecasting the shortage of neurosurgeons in Iran using a system dynamics model approach
Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Demand
forecast
shortage
supply
system dynamics
title Forecasting the shortage of neurosurgeons in Iran using a system dynamics model approach
title_full Forecasting the shortage of neurosurgeons in Iran using a system dynamics model approach
title_fullStr Forecasting the shortage of neurosurgeons in Iran using a system dynamics model approach
title_full_unstemmed Forecasting the shortage of neurosurgeons in Iran using a system dynamics model approach
title_short Forecasting the shortage of neurosurgeons in Iran using a system dynamics model approach
title_sort forecasting the shortage of neurosurgeons in iran using a system dynamics model approach
topic Demand
forecast
shortage
supply
system dynamics
url http://www.jehp.net/article.asp?issn=2277-9531;year=2018;volume=7;issue=1;spage=16;epage=16;aulast=Rafiei
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AT armandaneshvaran forecastingtheshortageofneurosurgeonsiniranusingasystemdynamicsmodelapproach
AT sinaabdollahzade forecastingtheshortageofneurosurgeonsiniranusingasystemdynamicsmodelapproach