Ciência-IUL
Publications
Publication Detailed Description
An integrated approach for planning a long-term care network with uncertainty, strategic policy and equity considerations
Journal Title
European Journal of Operational Research
Year (definitive publication)
2015
Language
English
Country
Netherlands
More Information
Web of Science®
Scopus
Google Scholar
Abstract
Considering key uncertainties and health policy options in the reorganization of a long-term care (LTC) network
is crucial. This study proposes a stochastic mixed integer linear programming model for planning the
delivery of LTC services within a network of care where such aspects are modeled in an integrated manner.
The model assists health care planners on how to plan the delivery of the entire range of LTC services – institutional,
home-based and ambulatory services – when the main policy objective is the minimization of expected
costs and while respecting satisficing levels of equity. These equity levels are modeled as constraints,
ensuring the attainment of equity of access, equity of utilization, socioeconomic equity and geographical equity.
The proposed model provides planners with key information on: when and where to locate services and
with which capacity, how to distribute this capacity across services and patient groups, and which changes to
the network of care are needed over time. Model outputs take into account the uncertainty surrounding LTC
demand, and consider strategic health policy options adopted by governments. The applicability of the model
is demonstrated through the resolution of a case study in the Great Lisbon region in Portugal with estimates
on the equity-cost trade-off for several equity dimensions being provided.
Acknowledgements
--
Keywords
OR in health services,LTC planning,Multi-service,Uncertainty,Equity
Fields of Science and Technology Classification
- Economics and Business - Social Sciences
Contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations
With the objective to increase the research activity directed towards the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the possibility of associating scientific publications with the Sustainable Development Goals is now available in Ciência-IUL. These are the Sustainable Development Goals identified by the author(s) for this publication. For more detailed information on the Sustainable Development Goals, click here.