Duncan Boldy

The relationship between decision support systems and operational research: Health care examples

Abstract This paper explores, via selected case studies, the relationship between DSS and OR in the health field. Although I believe that DSS offers nothing really new, as described by various writers the term does emphasise particular features which should be desirable goals in any OR study. These features are: an emphasis on flexibility and adaptability, on ease of use and understanding by non-computer people and on models linked with traditional data access. The paper discusses such features and their desirability, in relation to hospital based planning/management on the one hand and community based planning on the other.

Health operational research — A selective overview☆

Abstract The paper presents a selective overview of recent Health Operational Research in a number of application areas, both strategic and tactical. Resource allocation models and hospital size are covered under the strategic planning heading and ambulance service planning, hospital scheduling and appointment systems, stock control, paramedical departments and nurse staffing management under the tactical planning heading. Within the U.K., the major focus of health O.R. work has apparently moved away from hospital-based tactical studies, towards more broadly based strategic studies. Nevertheless, tactical studies probably still predominante. In 1977, about two-thirds of ongoing health O.R. studies were principally focussed on aspects of hospital services. The paper presents a mixed account. On the one hand, there are a number of success stories; however, in our view, O.R. scientists working in the health field are still spending too much time pursuing theory at the expense of practice. We hope that this paper will help in some small way to change the balance.

Reflections and observations on various approaches to strategic planning

Abstract Recent articles in the Operational Research Quarterly in the United Kingdom have discussed the suitability of optimality as the sole, or even the most appropriate, criterion relevant to decision making. This is perhaps particularly so in the case of strategic planning, in which decisions more likely have to be made in situations of uncertainty. Alternative criteria such as satisficing, robustness and stability have been proposed and the paper reflects on their relevance. This paper draws attention to the fact that strategic planning problems often involve multiple, often noncommensurable, objectives and stresses the importance of engaging decision-makers in an interactive dialogue in such situations. In the concluding observations, examples of two different approaches are given, both within the context of mathematical programming.

Planning Resources for Children in Care

This article outlines a collaborative case study of the planning of resources for children in local authority care. The study is a good example of how OR can help managers to allocate scarce resources. Computer-based projections are presented to decision-makers not as accurate forecasts, but to help assess the impact of various assumptions and policy changes.