Use of simulation in solving outpatient clinic problems: a review of the literature

The increasing demand for outpatient services has led to overcrowded clinics, long waiting times for patients, and extended staff working hours in outpatient clinics. Simulation tools have been used to ameliorate deficiencies in the appointment system, resource allocation, and patient flow managemen...

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Main Authors: Tang, Sai Hong, Pah, Pin Shang, Arumugam, Manohar, Mohd Yusuff, Rosnah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: South African Institute of Industrial Engineers 2013
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/29745/1/Use%20of%20simulation%20in%20solving%20outpatient%20clinic%20problems.pdf
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/29745/
http://sajie.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/551
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Summary:The increasing demand for outpatient services has led to overcrowded clinics, long waiting times for patients, and extended staff working hours in outpatient clinics. Simulation tools have been used to ameliorate deficiencies in the appointment system, resource allocation, and patient flow management that are the root causes of these problems. Integrated studies that considered these three factors together produced better results than attempts to resolve individual causes. While simulation has proved to be an effective problem-solving tool for outpatient clinic management, there is still room for improvement. This paper reviews studies over the past 50 years that have applied management simulation to resolve outpatient clinic problems.