Within healthcare decision making, cohort Markov models and decision trees are frequently used. However, in some situations these are not the most appropriate modelling methods. This course provides an in-depth review of individual-level simulation rationale, techniques and methodologies with a particular focus on discrete event simulation and its practical application to inform healthcare decision making. From the fundamentals of a basic model the course will progress to modelling complex systems, verification and interpreting output, as well as exploring alternative software options.

What does the course deliver?

This course aims to provide participants with the skills required to be able to undertake simulation projects to a professional level. It will be both theoretically-based and practically-based, with the use of the Simul8 software package. It will cover the use of discrete-event simulation to assess the impact of alternative options within a local system with resource constraints and the use of patient-level simulation for health economic modelling.

Who will benefit from this course?

This course is primarily for health economic modellers who want to broaden their skill base, as well as healthcare decision makers who would like to understand more about patient-level simulation and when it might be useful.

Participants must have a basic level of knowledge of health economic modelling in order to follow the course.

Course content

The course will consist of a mixture of presentations and practical use of Simul8, both following the lecturer and within individual exercises.

Course Materials

Course Materials will be provided via a Delegate Course Website approximately 2 weeks prior to the course start date. Hard copies of exercises will be provided throughout the course. Hard copies of powerpoint presentations will not be provided, but these can be printed by delegates before the start of the course via the Delegate Course Website.

Instructions for downloading the course software, Simul8, will be provided prior to the start of the course.

Participants are asked to provide their own laptop for the duration of the course.

Course Faculty

Hazel Squires is the course leader for this 3 day short course.

Matt Stevenson

Sarah Davis

Paul Tappenden

Contact

For further information please do not hesitate to contact us via email at scharr-scu@sheffield.ac.uk

or call +44 (0)114 222 2968.