Data from: Staffs’ and managers’ perceptions of how and when discrete event simulation modeling can be used as a decision support in quality improvement: a focus group discussion study at two hospital settings in Sweden

Objective
To explore healthcare staffs’ and managers’ perceptions of how and when discrete event simulation modeling can be used as a decision support in improvement efforts.
Design
Two focus group discussions were performed.
Setting
Two settings were included: a rheumatology department and an orthopedic section both situated in Sweden.
Participants
Healthcare staff and managers (n=13) from the two settings.
Interventions
Two workshops were performed, one at each setting. Workshops were initiated by a short introduction to simulation modeling. Results from the respective simulation model were then presented and discussed in the following focus group discussion.
Results
Categories from the content analysis are presented according to the following research questions: how and when simulation modeling can assist healthcare improvement? Regarding how, the participants mentioned that simulation modeling could act as a tool for support and a way to visualize problems, potential solutions and their effects. Regarding when, simulation modeling could be used both locally and by management, as well as a pedagogical tool to develop and test innovative ideas and to involve everyone in the improvement work.
Conclusions
Its potential as an information and communication tool and as an instrument for pedagogic work within healthcare improvement render a broader application and value of simulation modeling than previously reported.

研究目标
探究医护人员与管理人员对离散事件模拟建模（discrete event simulation modeling）如何以及何时可作为医疗改进工作中的决策支持工具的认知。

研究设计
开展两组焦点小组讨论。

研究场景
纳入两个研究场景，均位于瑞典，分别为风湿免疫科与骨科。

研究对象
来自上述两个场景的医护人员及管理人员，共13名（n=13）。

干预方案
分别在两个研究场景各开展一次专题研讨会。研讨会首先以简短介绍讲解模拟建模相关知识，随后展示对应模拟模型的结果，并在后续焦点小组讨论中展开研讨。

研究结果
本研究基于内容分析得到的分类结果，围绕以下两个研究问题展开呈现：离散事件模拟建模如何以及何时可助力医疗改进工作？就使用方式而言，参与研讨的人员指出，离散事件模拟建模可作为辅助工具，用于可视化呈现问题、潜在解决方案及其实施效果。就适用场景而言，该建模方法既可在科室层面应用，也可用于管理决策，同时还可作为教学工具，用于开发与验证创新理念，并推动全员参与医疗改进工作。

研究结论
离散事件模拟建模作为医疗改进工作中的信息沟通工具与教学工具，其应用潜力与实际价值较此前已有报道更为广泛。