Improving patient access in oncology clinics using simulation

Purpose: Providing timely access is an important measure of patient satisfaction in specialty care clinics such as cancer centers. Excessive wait time to see oncologist very critical for patients they often benefit from starting the treatment process soon possible. This paper addresses capacity planning both new and returning clinics. research motivated by a center Texas that seeks improve its clinical performance decrease oncologist.Design/methodology/approach: A simulation model proposed assess oncologists when employing several tactical operational policies resource flexibility, specialization reserving slots patients. The utilizes two years data collected Texas.Findings: results suggest best combination operating order allocate demand providers. study also determines required level provide patients.Originality/value: Although literature outpatient scheduling rich, oncology has received limited attention. few existing studies do not consider no-shows cancellations, our knowledge, no individual clinic flexibility idea