title: Simulation studies and the alignment of interests.
abstract: Chemotherapy patients are treated with cytostatic drugs. Cytostatic drugs can be produced if ordered or they can be produced to keep in stock. The time that cytostatic drugs can be kept in stock before being spoiled is limited. It is always possible that the patient cannot receive chemotherapy because he/she is not in the right condition. A simulation model is presented which allows to calculate for each combination of patient type and cytostatic drug type the effects on waiting times and costs. In practice actors will behave not as recommended by the simulation model. The cause of the latter is analyzed and solutions are proposed.
authors: Department of Health Organization, Policy and Economics, Maastricht University, The Netherlands. F.vanMerode@ beoz.unimaas.nl
authors: Godefridus G
authors: GG
authors: van Merode
authors: Siebren
authors: S
authors: Groothuis
authors: Milou
authors: M
authors: Schoenmakers
authors: Hendrikus H
authors: HH
authors: Boersma
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D016265:Conflict of Interest; D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical; D004356:Drug Storage; D004360:Drug Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007445:Inventories, Hospital; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009426:Netherlands; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D014850:Waiting Lists
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents