Using agent based simulation approach to model the screening aspect of the colorectal cancer care system and evaluating various screening options with real world preferences
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is the 3rd most common cause of cancer deaths in the US. Early detection of colorectal cancer with the help of effective screening reduces the risk due to colorectal cancer considerably. Though screening recommendations and guidelines exist, not enough people actually receive the recommended screening because of various reasons. Studying this colorectal cancer care system and the outcomes of various policies in the clinics is extremely difficult and can take years before the results can be acquired. Simulation modeling is a very effective tool to model the colorectal cancer care system. In this thesis, the screening aspect of the colorectal cancer care system was developed in an agent based framework, with an agent based patient progression model. Various screening policies and combinations were evaluated for performance by varying policy specific, as well as, patient specific parameters. A new evaluation technique was developed and used to evaluate the performance of screening in this agent based simulation model. Along with this the capacity requirement was estimated for all the policies tested. The results indicate that type of patient compliance, for instance, one-time, periodic or yearly, is an important factor while assessing screening policies at a population level. Adding FOBT to screening policies in areas of lower compliance rates seems to give good outcomes. Performance of screening policies with longer intervals was found to be comparable, again adding FOBT was able to improve performance over only colonoscopy.
Degree
M.S.I.E.
Advisors
Yih, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Industrial engineering|Health care management|Systems science|Oncology
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