Participatory Modeling with Discrete-Event Simulation: A Hybrid Approach to Inform Policy Development to Reduce Emergency Department Wait Times
We detail a case study using a participatory modeling approach in the development and use of discrete-event simulations to identify intervention strategies aimed at reducing emergency department (ED) wait times in a Canadian health policy setting. A four-stage participatory modeling approach specifi...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Systems |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/11/7/362 |
| Summary: | We detail a case study using a participatory modeling approach in the development and use of discrete-event simulations to identify intervention strategies aimed at reducing emergency department (ED) wait times in a Canadian health policy setting. A four-stage participatory modeling approach specifically adapted to the local policy environment was developed to engage stakeholders throughout the modeling processes. The participatory approach enabled a provincial team to engage a broad range of stakeholders to examine and identify the causes and solutions to lengthy ED wait times in the studied hospitals from a whole-system perspective. Each stage of the approach was demonstrated through its application in the case study. A novel and key feature of the participatory modeling approach was the development and use of a multi-criteria framework to identify and prioritize interventions to reduce ED wait times. We conclude with a discussion on lessons learned, which provide insights into future development and applications of participatory modeling methods to facilitate policy development and build multi-stakeholder consensus. |
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| ISSN: | 2079-8954 |