Evaluation in health informatics: computer simulation

The evaluation of complex medical informatics applications involves not only the information system, but also its impact on the organizational environment in which it is implemented, In instances where these applications cannot be evaluated with traditional experimental methods, computer simulation provides a flexible approach to evaluation, The construction of a computer simulation model involves the development of a model that represents important aspects of the system under evaluation. Once validated, the model can be used to study the effects of variation in system inputs, differences in initial conditions and changes in the structure of the system. Three examples are discussed, namely, a wide-area health care network, physician order entry into a hospital information system, and the use of an information system designed to prevent medical errors that lead to adverse drug events in hospitals. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.