A note on the dynamic interaction between waiting times and waiting lists

Area of Science:

• Health economics
• Operations research
• Public policy analysis

Background:

• Waiting times are a critical mechanism for rationing scarce resources in healthcare and public services.
• Understanding the interplay between waiting times and waiting lists is crucial for effective resource management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a theoretical model predicting the dynamics of waiting times and waiting lists.
• To analyze how demand and supply parameters influence these dynamics over time.

Main Methods:

• Development of a stylized mathematical model.
• Simulation of system dynamics under varying demand and supply conditions.

Main Results:

• Identified a potential dynamic where waiting times decrease while waiting lists increase over specific periods.
• Model predictions show consistency with some empirical evidence of healthcare and public sector waiting list behavior.

Conclusions:

• The model provides a framework for understanding complex waiting list dynamics.
• Findings suggest that decreasing waiting times do not always correlate with reduced waiting lists, highlighting the need for nuanced policy interventions.