Flexible Workforce Strategies in Healthcare Management

Abstract

Emergency departments are fundamental to healthcare systems, providing immediate and critical care to patients. However, they face operational challenges that include overcrowding and long waiting times, driven by unpredictable volumes of patients and levels of acuity. This research aims to address these challenges by developing a comprehensive framework that integrates data analysis, discrete event simulation, design thinking, and mathematical modeling. The primary objective is to apply flexible workforce strategies and enhance hospital resilience in uncertain healthcare environments. The study begins by examining existing frameworks for overcrowding and discrete event simulation, identifying gaps in current approaches. A detailed discrete event simulation model is employed to simulate patient flow, identify key bottlenecks, and test interventions without disrupting actual operations. Design thinking is integrated to promote collaboration among healthcare providers, patients, and administrative staff, ensuring a human-centric approach to solving emergency department challenges. This methodology also facilitates the evaluation of strategies for managing high demand and emergency scenarios. A key contribution of this research is the development of a multidimensional resilience framework that quantitatively measures hospital preparedness and response to critical emergency scenarios. Case studies and experimental designs are employed to evaluate different response policies by systematically testing and assessing their effectiveness in sustaining operational stability. The findings offer practical recommendations for emergency departments to implement resource allocation strategies that maximize patient safety, minimize delays, and enhance service delivery under uncertainty. In conclusion, this study advances healthcare operations by integrating simulation, data analytics, and design thinking to develop robust, patient-centered solutions. By using these methodologies, hospitals can strengthen resilience, better manage patient flow, and ensure sustained operations in uncertain environments.

Date of Award	16 May 2025
Original language	American English
Supervisor	Andrei Sleptchenko (Supervisor)