Article ID: | iaor19992974 |
Country: | United States |
Volume: | 28 |
Issue: | 5 |
Start Page Number: | 56 |
End Page Number: | 69 |
Publication Date: | Sep 1998 |
Journal: | Interfaces |
Authors: | Worthington D.J., Bennett Joanna C. |
Keywords: | queues: applications, performance |
We undertook a study to improve the running of hospital out-patient clinics that were regularly overbooked, overrun, and had excessive patient waiting times. The methodology adopted entailed a mixture of qualitative and quantitative approaches, but was problem-driven and so only emerged as the project developed. We generated a number of proposals for the improved running of the clinics during the project, some implemented and some not. For future studies we would recommend that a flexible and open-minded approach is adopted. This may well involve an initial, mainly qualitative, study followed by the application of a series of modest models – occasionally more sophisticated modeling may be appropriate. We would also recommend that the benefits of such studies are not judged solely in terms of one-off implementation leading to measurable improvements in performance. They should also be seen as part of an overall process of improving health care practices.