Introduction to Important Operations Research Methods- PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY

1. Introduction to Important
Operational Research Methods

2. Flowchart of the database search, selection,
and review process of articles
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6528417/

3. Operational Research
Methods/techniques
 Below are the important OR methods
1. Systems analysis
2. linear programming technique
3. Network analysis
4. Queuing theory

4. System Analysis

5. Linear Programming
 Linear programming comes under the allocation
problem, is a problem which involves the allocation of
given number of resources to the system.
 The objective of these problems is to optimize the
total effectiveness i.e to minimize the total cost or
maximize the total return.
 the term Linear Programming is the combination of
the two term ‘Linear’ and ‘Programming’.
◦ The term linear means that all the relations in the
particular problem are linear and
◦ the term programming refers to the process determining
particular programme or plan of action.

6. Linear Programming
 Linear programming (LP) is one of the
simplest ways to perform optimization.
 It helps you solve some very complex
optimization problems by making a few
simplifying assumptions.

7. Network Analysis
 Network analysis offers public health a new and
innovative approach to framing and answering
important health questions.
 Rather than focus on the characteristics of an
individual, organization, or system, NA examines
the relationship among these units.
 The analysis of networks allows the whole system
to be examined in its entirety, which may reveal
useful information about network position,
properties of different groups, or characteristics
of the complete network.

8. Network Analysis
 The relationships are visually depicted
through a sociogram,
◦ drawing of points (representing individuals or
organizations) connected by lines (indicating
relationships).
◦ In addition to connecting the dots, the color and
size of the points, also referred to as nodes, may
also be used to depict the individual
characteristics or roles within a network.
◦the network model reveals the underlying
transmission structure of the outbreak

9. Network Analysis
 Sociogram - Example

10. Network Analysis
 Example for Drawing network relations
is cause of
is associated with
is cause of
leads to
leads to
is cause of
leads to
leads to
is cause of
ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
GENERAL HEALTH PROBLEMS
HEALTH PROBLEMS AND TREATMENT
SEEKING BEHAVIOUR
MULTIPLE SEXUAL PARTNERS
SEXUAL HEALTH PROBLEMS~
TREATMENT GOVERNMENT
TREATMENT PRIVATE
INCONSISTANT CONDOMUSE

11. Network Analysis
 Use of network analysis in PH
◦ the network model reveals the underlying
transmission structure of the outbreak
◦ The network model is useful particularly for
planning interventions for the disease in
question

12. Queuing theory
 The goal of Queuing model is achievement of an
economical balance between the cost of
providing service and the cost associated with
the wait required for that service.
 It aims to improve the efficiency of processes by
targeting bottlenecks that cause queues.
 Uses of Queuing mode in PH are, the resources
needed for Mass vaccination camp in a particular
area, facility and resource planning for emerging
or Changing disease profiles or changing
demographics

13. Queuing theory
 Uses of Queuing mode in PH are, the
resources needed for Mass vaccination
camp in a particular area, facility and
resource planning for emerging or
Changing disease profiles or changing
demographics

14. Reference
 https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/pdf/10.
1146/annurev.publhealth.28.021406.14413
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