Embedding OR modelling as decision support in health capacity planning: insights from an evaluation

Literature reviews over five decades have reported the paucity of examples of OR methods being routinely used to support decision-making in health and social care. This paper presents insights from an independent evaluation of a project intended to overcome some of the barriers to implementation by establishing a “community of practice” in Kent (England). The project itself was undertaken by practitioners, and had two main aims: providing training in system dynamics modelling to analysts, and making senior managers aware of the benefits of modelling. The findings largely confirmed previous studies, but also raised issues about style of training delivery and selection of problems to be modelled. Project leaders fully understood the barriers to embedding OR modelling skills, and made considerable efforts to avoid them, but nevertheless the main barrier, pressures on people’s time, remained an obstacle. The paper concludes with general reflections and advice.