After this course, the student can:
- describe the basic principles of OM
- explain the steps in a problem-solving methodology
- describe the impact of variability
- explain the concept and components of simulation modeling
- recognize the use of queuing and mathematical programming models in a healthcare setting
- classify planning functions in the framework for planning and control
- evaluate projects using project management techniques
- develop and analyze quality monitoring and control charts
- determine which OM-tools to use for analyzing and optimizing processes in a specific healthcare situation
- apply the tools provided in settings discussed in the lectures, and in new settings
- draw conclusions from the analyses done
- implement the tools in Excel
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The objective of this course is to provide students with various operations management (OM) tools and techniques for the analysis and optimization of healthcare delivery processes. These include (among others): Queuing Theory, Mathematical Programming, Simulation, Quality Control, Project Management, Reliability, Productivity, Variability, as well as basic spreadsheet (MS Excel). Moreover, we will demonstrate the effectiveness of these tools in various healthcare settings through case studies, and guest lectures from practice.
Operations Management is the activity of managing the resources which are devoted to the production and delivery of products and services. It is a broad field including, among others, capacity management, inventory management, quality management, and supply chain management. OM in the context of industry has been studied extensively, but OM in healthcare is still in its infancy. It is widely recognized that the healthcare systems in the world are at a critical point. We face aging populations, attrition in the workforce and pressure to adopt new, costly technologies. Moreover, the healthcare systems suffer from inefficiencies and inequalities. To overcome these problems, health system leaders and managers require analytical models, in particular OM models, to analyze the system and to improve it. The University of Twente is a major player in this research area, collaborating with healthcare institutes all over the Netherlands. This collaboration takes place on several fronts, including student projects on bachelor, master, and PhD level.
Applying OM in healthcare, however, is not an easy job. Healthcare managers often do not have a background in OM, while OM experts are trained for jobs in industry. Although there are quite some similarities between industry and healthcare, there are also some important differences. This course intends to fill this gap by training Health Sciences students in OM topics. It assumes that students have had a general introduction to OM and deepens this knowledge by providing tools and techniques for analyzing and optimizing healthcare delivery processes and showing their usefulness in health care settings.
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