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MEASURE TWICE, CHANGE ONCE: USING SIMULATION TO SUPPORT CHANGE MANAGEMENT IN RURAL HEALTHCARE DELIVERY
Advances in Health Care Management
  • Clair Reynolds Kueny, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Alex Price
  • Casey I. Canfield, Missouri University of Science and Technology
Abstract

Barriers to adequate healthcare in rural areas remain a grand challenge for local healthcare systems. In addition to patients' travel burdens, lack of health insurance, and lower health literacy, rural healthcare systems also experience significant resource shortages, as well as issues with recruitment and retention of healthcare providers, particularly specialists. These factors combined result in complex change management-focused challenges for rural healthcare systems. Change management initiatives are often resource intensive, and in rural health organizations already strapped for resources, it may be particularly risky to embark on change initiatives. One way to address these change management concerns is by leveraging socio-technical simulation models to estimate techno-economic feasibility (e.g., is it technologically feasible, and is it economical?) as well as socio-utility feasibility (e.g., how will the changes be utilized?). We present a framework for how healthcare systems can integrate modeling and simulation techniques from systems engineering into a change management process. Modeling and simulation are particularly useful for investigating the amount of uncertainty about potential outcomes, guiding decision-making that considers different scenarios, and validating theories to determine if they accurately reflect real-life processes. The results of these simulations can be integrated into critical change management recommendations related to developing readiness for change and addressing resistance to change. As part of our integration, we present a case study showcasing how simulation modeling has been used to determine feasibility and potential resistance to change considerations for implementing a mobile radiation oncology unit. Recommendations and implications are discussed.

Department(s)
Psychological Science
Second Department
Engineering Management and Systems Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
  • case study,
  • change management,
  • radiation oncology,
  • Rural healthcare,
  • simulation modeling,
  • systems thinking
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2024 The Authors, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
2-7-2024
Publication Date
07 Feb 2024
PubMed ID
38262009
Citation Information
Clair Reynolds Kueny, Alex Price and Casey I. Canfield. "MEASURE TWICE, CHANGE ONCE: USING SIMULATION TO SUPPORT CHANGE MANAGEMENT IN RURAL HEALTHCARE DELIVERY" Advances in Health Care Management Vol. 22 (2024) p. 29 - 53 ISSN: 1474-8231
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/casey-canfield/47/