USING SOFT SYSTEMS METHODOLOGY TO DEVELOP A SIMULATION OF OUTPATIENT SERVICES

Discrete event simulation is an approach to modelling a system in the form of a set of mathematical equations and logical relationships, usu ally used for complex problems, which are difficult to address by usin g analytical or numerical methods. Managing out-patient services is su ch a problem. However, simulation is not in itself a systemic approach , in that it provides no methodology by which system boundaries and sy stem activities may be identified. The investigation considers the use of soft systems methodology as an aid to drawing system boundaries an d identifying system activities, for the purpose of simulating the out -patients' department at a local hospital. The long term aims are to e xamine the effects that the participative nature of soft systems metho dology has on the acceptability of the simulation model, and to provid e analysts and managers with a process that may assist in planning str ategies for health care.