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Simulation modelling is a fascinating research field. The techniques and tools of simulation modelling have been used to research and investigate the behaviour of various systems in a wide range of areas such as commerce, computer networks, defence, health, manufacturing and transportation. Indeed, the study of the use of these techniques and tools, and the development of new forms of these, are a rich source of research in their own right. Simulation modelling is about to reach the 50th anniversary of the development of GSP (General Simulation Program), the first simulation modelling language (Tocher and Owen, 1960). There have been several historical accounts of simulation modelling research. To complement these, we have performed a review of the recent history of simulation modelling. This study targeted three leading journals dedicated to this field. These are the ACM Transactions of Modeling and Computer Simulation, Simulation: Transactions of The Society for Modeling and Simulation International and Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory (formerly Simulation Practice and Theory). The study covered the first 6 years of this century (2000-2005) and included 576 papers. The key observation of this work was the relative lack of `real world' involvement in simulation modelling research and an even greater lack of evidence of `real world' benefit, arguably very alarming outcomes for an applied field. To further investigate this observation two additional surveys were carried out, one to study if real world papers appeared in the more widely known OR/MS literature (837 papers in 12 journals) and one to study if such papers appeared in Manufacturing and Logistics, an application area closely associated with simulation modelling (1077 papers in 10 journals). The results of these surveys confirmed our observations. We ask if this is the natural evolution of a field that has existed for half a century or an indication of a worrying problem? This paper reports on our findings and discusses whether or not simulation modelling research urgently needs to face a 'reality check.' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes considered futures for the use of simulation as a problem solving technique within healthcare settings. Using a synthesis of trends identified by a selection of experts in the field, academics and industrialists, critical analysis was applied to find the differences between what exists and what could be created based on outlining some major themes. The survey data reveals that most respondents agree on following whole system approaches with more joined up modelling or mixed methods to tackle problems rather than single-solution-based practices. The article then presents options for how simulation could be used within the healthcare domain. Such options or futures could assist in identifying the critical barriers towards having a successful strategy and provide the basis for debate that will be necessary to attain it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A shortage of donor liver grafts unfortunately results in approximately 10% of patients dying whilst listed for a liver transplant in Europe and the United States. Thus it is imperative that all available organs are used as efficiently as possible. This paper reports upon the application of a simulation modelling approach to assess the impact of several alternative allocation policies upon the cost effectiveness of this technology at one liver transplant centre in the UK. The impact of changes in allocation criteria on the estimated net life expectancy, average net costs and overall cost effectiveness of the transplantation programme were evaluated. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) for the base case allocation policy, based upon the time spent on the waiting list (i.e., longest wait first) was 11,557 pounds sterling at 1999 prices. The ICERs associated with an allocation policy based upon age (lowest age first), and an allocation policy based upon the severity of the pre-transplant condition of the patient (with most severely ill patients given a lower priority) were lower than the base case at 10,424 pounds sterling and 9,077 pounds sterling, respectively. The results of this modelling study suggest that the overall cost effectiveness of the liver transplantation programme could be improved if the current allocation policy were modified to give more weight to the age of the patient and the reduced chances of success of the most severely ill patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of manufacturing systems is a complex and expensive task for both SMEs and large organisations alike. Many problems relating to the design and operation of manufacturing systems are too complex to allow for mathematical treatment, and as a result there is increasing recognition of the applicability of simulation in the manufacturing environment. This has in turn resulted in a growth in simulation software products available in the marketplace, and manufacturers of such products are naturally keen to extol the virtues of what they sell. In a rapidly changing workplace, there is some suggestion that simulation tools may not have developed to deal with the new demands, and so it is timely to review what is on offer. This paper presents the results of a survey of European simulation specialists, both working in industry and in an academic environment, on the use of simulation software. The main purpose of this survey was to determine how satisfied users are with simulation software and to highlight the most positive and negative features. The findings offer an insight into current software, and how this can be further enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the development of ABCSim, a simulation package developed with the purpose of helping the health economist group understand their problem and overcome the practical difficulties of data collection. Role of economic evaluation in the adjuvant breast cancer (ABC) trial; Markov modelling of economic factors in ABC treatment; Discussion on the ABCSim package.

This publication contains reprint articles for which IEEE does not hold copyright. You may purchase this article from the Ask*IEEE Document Delivery Service at http://www.ieee.org/services/askieee/ [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]