Research Reports from the Department of Operations

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

6-1-1976

Abstract

This report addresses the challenge of effectively utilizing health care resources to meet legitimate and increasing health demands in contemporary American medicine. The delivery of health care, historically rooted in "cottage industry" models, has evolved into a limited commodity due to factors such as population growth, technological advances, and rising costs. Ensuring equitable and efficient utilization of health resources is essential for controlling costs, improving access, and fulfilling the health care system's purpose of alleviating suffering, managing health crises, and preventing disease. However, the health care delivery system faces significant issues, including regional maldistribution of resources and an imbalance between supply and demand. This report focuses on a small segment of the health care system, using it as a microcosm to explore broader challenges. It proposes new, adaptive methodologies for improving the delivery of outpatient appointments as a means to address systemic inefficiencies.

Keywords

Operations research, Delphi method, Medical care, Health services accessibility, Health planning

Publication Title

Technical Memorandums from the Department of Operations, School of Management, Case Western Reserve University

Issue

Technical memorandum no. 406

Rights

This work is in the public domain and may be freely downloaded for personal or academic use

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.