Agent based simulations in healthcare.

Agent Based Simulations (ABS) is a relatively recent computer paradigm. As opposed to "top down" conventional computer simulations, the ABS approach is a "bottom-up" modelling technique where a medium to high number of independent agents is modelled. These agents' interactions sometimes cause unexpected "emergent" system behaviour. ABS is particularly suitable in the social context such as healthcare where a large number of human agents interact and co-operate for common goals. Today ABS in the social context is often used together with the recently introduced network analysis techniques and network visualization tools for modelling and simulating social agents within organisations. At Akdeniz University we are starting a number of projects for applying ABS technology in healthcare. In this paper we present two of the ongoing projects in this field. Firstly we have developed a prototype simulator for the long term monitoring of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) as a major public health problem. We present the COPD simulator, its agents, parameters and working principles. Secondly we want to apply ABS and the network analysis techniques to visualise and explore informal social networks amongst staff at the Akdeniz University Hospital to assess and evaluate properties of the organisation in terms of its ability to innovate and share knowledge. In our applications, we primarily aim to use ABS in a web-based platform to create a virtual environment for discussion, visualising and running what-if scenarios to test out various options for managing healthcare, as well as sharing information and creating a virtual community.