title: Improved workflow modelling using role activity diagram-based modelling with application to a radiology service case study.
abstract: The modelling of complex workflows is an important problem-solving technique within healthcare settings. However, currently most of the workflow models use a simplified flow chart of patient flow obtained using on-site observations, group-based debates and brainstorming sessions, together with historic patient data. This paper presents a systematic and semi-automatic methodology for knowledge acquisition with detailed process representation using sequential interviews of people in the key roles involved in the service delivery process. The proposed methodology allows the modelling of roles, interactions, actions, and decisions involved in the service delivery process. This approach is based on protocol generation and analysis techniques such as: (i) initial protocol generation based on qualitative interviews of radiology staff, (ii) extraction of key features of the service delivery process, (iii) discovering the relationships among the key features extracted, and, (iv) a graphical representation of the final structured model of the service delivery process. The methodology is demonstrated through a case study of a magnetic resonance (MR) scanning service-delivery process in the radiology department of a large hospital. A set of guidelines is also presented in this paper to visually analyze the resulting process model for identifying process vulnerabilities. A comparative analysis of different workflow models is also conducted.
authors: The Digital Laboratory, WMG, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; SMART Infrastructure Facility, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia. Electronic address: nshukla@uow.edu.au.
authors: Nagesh
authors: N
authors: Shukla
authors: The Digital Laboratory, WMG, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
authors: John E
authors: JE
authors: Keast
authors: The Digital Laboratory, WMG, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK; Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
authors: Darek
authors: D
authors: Ceglarek
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D017146:Models, Organizational; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D011871:Radiology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D057188:Workflow; D016526:Workload
keywords: Healthcare process modelling; Radiology; Workflow