Operations Research

By Dr. S.M. Israr

Aga Khan University Karachi, Pakistan

Operations Research
Session Objectives:
To describe the need and importance of Operations Research for rationale decision making in health care delivery To discuss the basic Operations Research concepts and techniques for solving particular problem and identification of appropriate solution To develop a research proposal using the general approach for Operations Research

Delivery of health care -Primary care -Secondary care -Tertiary care

Economic support Management -Public sources of finance Organized arrangement of -Employers -Leadership resources -Decision-making -Organized volun-National health authorities -planning tary agencies -Health insurance programmes -implementation -Local community -Other governmental agencies -monitoring and efforts -Non-governmental agencies -Independent private sector evaluation -Foreign Aid -information -Private households Development of health resource -Other Regulation -Manpower -Facilities -Equipment and supplies -Knowledge

Operations Research
Operations Research is the application of analytical methods designed to help the decision makers choose between various courses of action available to accomplish specified objectives

Operations Research - Methodology

Operations Research
Problem Analysis Solution
Development Solution Validation

Evaluation

Implementation

Operations Research Approach

Phase -I PROBLEM ANALYSIS

Define the Operations Research Analyze the problem and divide into smaller units Establish research priorities

Operations Research Approach

Phase-II SOLUTION DEVELOPMENT
Specify solution objectives Specify decision variables and stipulate constraints on the solution Identify or construct an appropriate model for solution development Determine and obtain required data Develop solutions using analytical model

Operations Research Approach

Phase-III SOLUTION VALIDATION

Design field test Implement field test Evaluate the propose solution modify if necessary Integrate the solution with the larger system

Phase -I, Problem Analysis

1. Define the operational problem Discussion of problem with all stakeholders Identifying subsystems Develop objectives for subsystems obtaining consensus on objectives of the subsystem

Phase -I, Problem Analysis

2. Analyze the problem and divide into smaller units

Operational problem is analyzed in detail. The problem is broken into smaller units. This is presented graphically. The graph shows inputs, outputs and the outside factors.

Phase -I, Problem Analysis

3. Establishing Research Priorities

First look at the system as a whole and then as a cluster of major subsystems. Then ask where one should expect modifications to produce the greatest positive impact on outputs.

Phase -II, Solution Development

1. Specify solution objectives Solution objectives are statements of the desired solutions to the operational problem. These are usually stated in terms of system efficiency that is conservation of inputs and maximization of outputs. Fixed inputs with maximum outputs. Minimum inputs with maximum outputs.

Phase -II, Solution Development 2. Specify decision variables and stipulate constraints on the solution
Decision variables are factors that both play a role in determining how a system functions and are also within the control of the system manager. Amount of ORS packets Training methods Factors that limit the the practical range of one or more decision variables are called constraints. Socio-economic, ethnicity, occupation, educational level, weather, terrain

Phase -II, Solution Development 3. Identify or construct an appropriate model for solution development Model building is the essence of the operations research A model is the simplified representation of the real world
Resource allocation Networking Cost-analysis

Phase-III SOLUTION VALIDATION 1. Design field test

How believable are the outcome of the field test.

Experimental Non-experimental Quasi-experimental

Phase-III SOLUTION VALIDATION 2. Implementing the field test

Determination of requisite resources Development of management scheme Development of training material Arrangements of obtaining human and other resources needed Design of an information system

Phase-III SOLUTION VALIDATION 3. Evaluating,modifying and integrating the solutions

Continuous assessment to ensure refinements of inputs Integrating the solution within the system

An Example...

TB control Program. High defaulter rate among TB patients. How to assess the situation?