Effectiveness of Operations Research Techniques in Healthcare Optimization: A Review

Abstract

Healthcare systems worldwide face challenges such as long waiting times, inefficient resource utilization, and inequitable service delivery. Operations Research (OR) techniques namely Linear Programming (LP), Integer Programming (IP), Queuing Theory (QT), and Simulation offer systematic approaches to address these challenges. This review paper evaluates the effectiveness of these OR methods in improving healthcare performance metrics, including patient waiting time, resource utilization, and equitable access. A systematic review methodology is adopted to synthesize findings from existing literature. Results indicate that OR techniques significantly enhance healthcare efficiency, though implementation barriers remain in developing regions.