title: Multi-Agent-Based Simulation of a Complex Ecosystem of Mental Health Care.
abstract: This paper discusses the creation of an Agent-Based Simulation that modeled the introduction of care coordination capabilities into a complex system of care for patients with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness. The model describes the engagement between patients and the medical, social and criminal justice services they interact with in a complex ecosystem of care. We outline the challenges involved in developing the model, including process mapping and the collection and synthesis of data to support parametric estimates, and describe the controls built into the model to support analysis of potential changes to the system. We also describe the approach taken to calibrate the model to an observable level of system performance. Preliminary results from application of the simulation are provided to demonstrate how it can provide insights into potential improvements deriving from introduction of care coordination technology.
authors.affiliation: IBM Research, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalton
authors.affiliation: Medical Affairs, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc., Princeton, NJ, USA. erin.falconer@otsuka-us.com.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Falconer
authors.affiliation: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., Princeton, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Docherty
authors.affiliation: IBM Global Business Services, West Chester, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alevras
authors.affiliation: IBM Global Business Services, Costa Mesa, CA, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brann
authors.affiliation: IBM Global Business Services, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Kyle
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D003418:Criminology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010346:Patient Care Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012947:Social Work / Q000458:organization & administration*
keywords: Agent-based simulation; Care coordination; Complex medical and social ecosystem; Mental health care; Model development; Psychiatric patient environment; System management