Agent-Based Modelling and Simulation Framework for Health Care

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is a diagnosis of particular concern for older Canadians. Treatment of colorectal cancer requires a complex decision-making process of treatment. These treatments may involve surgery and either pre- or post-operative radiation or chemotherapy, which can have a great impact on the quality of life of patients due to the rigorous requirements of treatment and the inconvenient side effects. The conceptual and architectural modelling is challenging due to the diverse and complex dimensions. In this chapter we have proposed a modelling approach based on an additional structure to simplify the design of simulations. The modelling approach considers the complexity of the modelling process, where in the various models are developed. We developed a computer simulation environment of patient care trajectories using the agent in order to evaluate new approaches to increase hospital productivity and adapt hospital clinical practice conditions for the elderly and patients with multiple chronic diseases. So, we have developed a multi-agent framework to simulate the activities and roles in a Health Care (HC) system. This framework can be used to assist the collaborative scheduling of complex tasks that involve multiple personals and resources. In addition, it can be used to study the efficiency of the HC system and the influence of different policies.