Simulation in Healthcare: A Concept Map

Abstract

This chapter provides a relatively simple explanation of the comprehensive ways that modeling, simulation, and analysis can be used across the entirety of the healthcare industry. The explanation is provided as a concept map diagram. Concept maps are visual representations of knowledge and are similar to mind maps. The chapter breaks down the ways that models and simulations are used in four related but often independent domains: (1) Administration, Business, and Management; (2) Practitioner and Patient Safety; (3) Theory and Science; and (4) Logistics and Physical Process. While a hospital environment typically leverages all four of these domains on a regular basis, the ways that models and simulations are used are slightly different within each domain. It is important for operators within each of these domains to understand the opportunity and value models and simulations can provide across the comprehensive system.