Resolving waiting time issue in healthcare: A simulation modelling approach

Healthcare Services across the globe are going through a very challenging phase under the current economic uncertainty. Among many other public services which are under the financial scrutiny healthcare services is the most affected one. This is primarily attributed to severe funding cuts and reduced headcounts that have resulted in long waiting queues for a variety of medical treatments. The delay in treatments due to the lack of resources have caused huge outcry among the general public. Therefore, healthcare services are under immense pressure to reduce their inefficiencies and improve their operational performance. Inspired by the on-going challenges faced by the healthcare service organisations, this research aims to study the role of discrete-event simulation modelling tool in reducing the waiting time issues. This research investigates waiting time issue faced by the physiotherapy department of an Irish hospital. The data for the simulation study was collected through personal visits to the physiotherapy department. As a first step towards the simulation modelling, a process map of the department was constructed. Thereafter, simulation model was developed and tested for alternative scenarios to tackle the waiting time problem. The result shows that simulation modelling can be a very effective tool in resolving the waiting time issue by providing managerial decision makers vital information on how to use their resources efficiently.