title: Recommendations for increasing the use of HIV/AIDS resource allocation models.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Resource allocation models have not had a substantial impact on HIV/AIDS resource allocation decisions in spite of the important, additional insights they may provide. In this paper, we highlight six difficulties often encountered in attempts to implement such models in policy settings; these are: model complexity, data requirements, multiple stakeholders, funding issues, and political and ethical considerations. We then make recommendations as to how each of these difficulties may be overcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  To ensure that models can inform the actual decision, modellers should understand the environment in which decision-makers operate, including full knowledge of the stakeholders' key issues and requirements. HIV/AIDS resource allocation model formulations should be contextualized and sensitive to societal concerns and decision-makers' realities. Modellers should provide the required education and training materials in order for decision-makers to be reasonably well versed in understanding the capabilities, power and limitations of the model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This paper addresses the issue of knowledge translation from the established resource allocation modelling expertise in the academic realm to that of policymaking.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. alasry@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Arielle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lasry
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Frithjof
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lutscher
mesh_terms: D026688:Bioethical Issues; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015276:Health Care Rationing; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D040841:Resource Allocation / Q000379:methods