Document Type

Technical Report

Publication Date

Summer 2012

Abstract

This paper presents a simple ABM simulation that seeks to provide insight into the public health benefits that derive from greater collaboration among health care professionals. In particular, the paper compares the efficiency, delivery and timeliness of health care diagnostics under two contrasting paradigms–one in which collaboration is encouraged, and an- other where it is not. The preliminary results of this study suggest that while the effect of cooperation on aggregate public health depends on the patient search algorithm employed, its effect on overall efficiency and timeliness of health care diagnostics and treatment is significant and pos- itive. Since the speed with which an adequate diagnosis is provided has implications both for the overall cost of health care, as well as for the pos- sible gains from treatment and intervention (or even for the containing of contagious disease) the results appear relevant for anyone concerned with the planning and provision of health and health care.

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