Optimization Resource Allocation Model for Paediatric Healthcare Systems During Patient Referral

Abstract

Patient referral is one of the strategies recommended for enhancing access to healthcare as stipulated by the Sustainable Development Goals Target 3 of the United Nations. However, the success of patient referral is directly dependent upon knowledge of the availability of requisite resources in the referral facility. Whereas several models based on heuristic search algorithms have been developed for healthcare system resource allocation, none seem to have been targeted at paediatric patients. This paper presents an intelligent distributed system resource allocation model based on Honey Bee Foraging theory for improving healthcare system provision to paediatric patients. The model was proved to be effective in enhancing healthcare service delivery due to informed decision making before a referral process was completed. More models should be designed which are capable of integrating patients and specialist data across county boundaries to facilitate wider referral options.