Health care modelling and clinical practice. Theoretical exercise or practical tool?

The paper looks at potential uses of health care modelling techniques in day-to-day clinical practice, adopting the viewpoint of a specialist in geriatric medicine. After a brief review of the recent literature on the practical applications of bed modelling techniques, the potential of such techniques in the future is discussed. Possible barriers to the adoption of these techniques by clinicians are presented together with suggestions about ways of overcoming these barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]