Long waits for specialist orthopaedic services are common across Australia. We used a discrete event simulation model to test the impact of different models of service provision on throughput, waiting times and cost-effectiveness at one hospital. We found that increasing the use of advanced musculoskeletal physiotherapists in screening roles is a cost-effective way to improve supply of services and reduce waiting times in this outpatient orthopaedic service. However, supply of orthopaedic specialists also needs to be increased to adequately manage overall demand for services at the modeled hospital.
Tags: Health Services Delivery Musculoskeletal Disorders |