Optimization of healthcare processes has received much attention in recent years, due to the ageing population and increased healthcare expenditures, and the capacity challenges imposed by pandemics like COVID-19. In research, the University of Twente plays an important role in the development of models and techniques for health care process optimization using advanced operations research techniques (see the website of research center CHOIR: https://www.utwente.nl/en/choir/). Based on these recent developments, this course familiarizes the students with tools for process optimization, planning and scheduling, simulation, and performance benchmarking, particularly in hospitals. 

Aside from the application of techniques learnt in previous master courses (e.g. Simulation, OR Techniques, Planning & Scheduling, Data Science), this course discusses additional techniques particularly useful in process modeling, performance analysis and optimization. These subjects are dealt with in lectures and in several (mandatory) guest lectures from field experts. In addition, students will get hands-on experience with implementing optimization techniques in a case study during exercise classes, using tools such as Delphi (4GL programming language), Plant Simulation (discrete event simulation), and AIMMS (mathematical programming/modeling and optimization software). Students must be familiar with programming (Delphi or VBA) and discrete event simulation (Plant Simulation). Students (AM) who do not know this specific software, but do have (e.g. C++) programming skills and discrete event simulation experience, may also participate in this course, but are recommended to contact the lecturer for some instructions: e.w.hans@utwente.nl.
 
Parallel to the lectures and guest lectures, a business game is run, in which the students (in groups of two) set up, organize and manage their own operating room department. 

The specific subjects may vary a bit every year, depending on current research and guest lecture subjects. A selection of (possible) subjects: generic framework for hospital planning and control, simulation of health care processes, operating room planning and scheduling, staff scheduling, benchmarking, DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis), Emergency care planning, material coordination (purchasing/ warehousing subjects).

This course aims at IEM (PLM and HCTM tracks) and AM (OR tracks) students who have knowledge of operations research techniques like discrete event simulation, queuing theory, and combinatorial optimization, and who want to expand this knowledge and gain experience in applying these techniques in a practical context of high societal importance: healthcare.
 
Optimization of healthcare processes has received much attention in recent years, due to the ageing population and increased healthcare expenditures. In research, the University of Twente plays an important role in the development of models and techniques for health care process optimization using advanced operations research techniques (see: http://www.utwente.nl/en/choir/). Based on these recent developments, this course familiarizes the students with the useful tools for process optimization, planning and scheduling, simulation, and performance benchmarking, particularly in hospitals. 

Aside from the application of techniques learnt in previous master courses (e.g. Simulation, OR Techniques, Planning & Scheduling, Data Science), this course discusses additional techniques particularly useful in process modeling, performance analysis and optimization. These subjects are dealt with in lectures and in several (mandatory) guest lectures from field experts. In addition, students will get hands-on experience with implementing optimization techniques in a case study during exercise classes, using tools such as Delphi (4GL programming language), Plant Simulation (discrete event simulation), and AIMMS (mathematical programming/modeling and optimization software). Students must be familiar with programming (Delphi or VBA) and discrete event simulation (Plant Simulation). Students (AM) who do not know this specific software, but do have (e.g. C++) programming skills and discrete event simulation experience, may also participate in this course, but are recommended to contact the lecturer for some instructions: e.w.hans@utwente.nl.
 
Parallel to the lectures and guest lectures, a business game is run, in which the students (in groups of two) set up, organize and manage their own operating room department. 

The specific subjects may vary a bit every year, depending on current research and guest lecture subjects. A selection of (possible) subjects: generic framework for hospital planning and control, simulation of health care processes, operating room planning and scheduling, staff scheduling, benchmarking, DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis), Emergency care planning, material coordination (purchasing- / warehousing-subjects).
 
The 4 assignments in this business game constitute 80% of the final grade. A reflection report constitutes 20% of the final grade. The 4 assignments and the accompanying (guest) lectures have the following learning objectives: