A Model of Health-Service Utilization and Resource Allocation

This paper presents the initial basis for a descriptive mathematical model of the total utilization of personal health and medical services by the population of a community or region, the allocation of resources used to provide these services, and the cost of health care as derived from the prevailing costs of resources. A simplified illustrative example is presented. The patterns by which resources are allocated to provide services, and the patterns by which the population groups use the total mix of services available, are identified as parameters in the model. On the basis of past data, the model can be used to predict allocation and use of services over time, as a function of population dynamics. Problems of implementation are discussed.