Improving patient waiting times: a simulation study of an obesity care service

Background Obesity care services are often faced with the need to adapt their resources to rising levels of demand. The main focus of thisstudy was to help prioritise planned investments in new capacity allowing the service to improve patient experience and meet future anticipated demand.

alternative resource configurations on patient waiting times.

Conclusions Resource configuration combined with demand management (reduction in referral rates) along the care service can help improve patient waiting time targets for obesity services, such as the 18 week target of UK’s National Health Service. The use of simulation models can help stakeholders understand the

interconnectedness of the multiple microsystems (eg, clinics) comprising a complex clinical service for the same patient population, therefore, making stakeholders aware of the likely impact of resourcing decisions on the different microsystems.