Computer simulation of an optometric practice

Computer simulation languages have been used extensively in industry to model specific jobs or operations and these same languages can be used in health care settings to analyze the performance of optometric practices. A General Purpose Simulation System (GPSS) simulation of an optometric practice is described which permits 21 different reasons for visits. The model individually simulates each type of visit, provides unique criteria concerning who sees each patient, computes service times and office delays, and uses return visit probabilities to simulate patient flow through the office. Statistics are collected which can be used to analyze the performance of the office. Through this technique the optometrist can evaluate or discover new ways to improve his/her practice.