Evidence map›Paper›PMID 36702512›Full record

ArticleAge and ageing2023

Examining the effect of interventions in emergency care for older people using a system dynamics decision support tool.

Tracey England, Sally Brailsford, Dave Evenden, Andrew Street, Laia Maynou, Suzanne M Mason, Louise Preston, Christopher Burton, James Van Oppen, Simon Conroy

Open access · hybridAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Age and ageing, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
2.1field-weighted citation impact, top 15% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 7 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. [Progress on the application of system dynamics model in the field of health management].Zhejiang da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences · 2025
    Review
  5. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors at 7 institutions in 2 countries.

Tracey EnglandSouthampton Business School, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, UK.ORCID 0000-0001-7565-4189
Sally BrailsfordSouthampton Business School, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-6665-8230
Dave EvendenSouthampton Business School, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-6798-648X
Andrew StreetDepartment of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-2540-0364
Laia MaynouDepartment of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-0447-2959
Suzanne M MasonSchool of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-1701-0577
Louise PrestonSchool of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.ORCID 0000-0001-7477-4517
Christopher BurtonAcademic Unit of Primary Medical Care, University of Sheffield, Samuel Fox House, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, UK.ORCID 0000-0003-0233-2431
James Van OppenDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-2570-7112
Simon ConroyMRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at University College London, London, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-4306-6064
University of Southampton · GBUniversity of Sheffield · GBLondon School of Economics and Political Science · GBMRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing · GBNorthern General Hospital · GBUniversitat Pompeu Fabra · ESUniversity of Leicester · GB

Funding

Department of Health 17/05/96
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRising demand for Emergency and Urgent Care is a major international issue and outcomes for older people remain sub-optimal. Embarking upon large-scale service development is costly in terms of time, energy and resources with no guarantee of improved outcomes; computer simulation modelling offers an alternative, low risk and lower cost approach to explore possible interventions.

methodA system dynamics computer simulation model was developed as a decision support tool for service planners. The model represents patient flow through the emergency care process from the point of calling for help through ED attendance, possible admission, and discharge or death. The model was validated against five different evidence-based interventions (geriatric emergency medicine, front door frailty, hospital at home, proactive care and acute frailty units) on patient outcomes such as hospital-related mortality, readmission and length of stay.

resultsThe model output estimations are consistent with empirical evidence. Each intervention has different levels of effect on patient outcomes. Most of the interventions show potential reductions in hospital admissions, readmissions and hospital-related deaths.

conclusionsSystem dynamics modelling can be used to support decisions on which emergency care interventions to implement to improve outcomes for older people.

Indexed as

Emergency Medical ServicesFrailtyAgedComputer SimulationEmergency Service, HospitalGeriatric AssessmentHospitalizationHumansemergency and urgent carefrailtyinterventionsolder peoplesystem dynamics

Identifiers

PMID36702512
PMCPMC9879714
OpenAlexW4318263378

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.