This paper has been accepted for publication by Health Care Management Science. Client Involvement in Simulation Model Building: Hints and insights from a case study in a London hospital

This paper describes the collaborative process of building a simulation model to understand patient waiting times in an accident and emergency department. The purpose is to explore the issues that arise when involving health care professionals in the process of model building. The study background is presented, along with some general process themes which can be seen to run through the account that follows. That detailed account of the modelling process then forms the core of the paper. The general process themes are revisited in order to suggest some hints and insights on how the standard system dynamics methods for involving clients may apply in the health care context. Further collaborative studies are encouraged, since system dynamics has much to offer health care policy, whilst the process of building such models can be rewarding for all concerned. 1