Exploring New Worlds for Applying
Operational Research in Health Services
In recent publications and presentations I have
proposed areas in which operational research could usefully develop to fulfil its
mission as system improvement science, in particular by pushing the boundaries in
areas such as decision analytics, behavioural modelling and system design. This
presentation will consider ways to apply that thinking specifically in the health
field, with illustrations from areas such as developing more personalised care,
dealing with health risks and designing applications in eHealth. Exploring and developing
these areas should help ensure that operational research will thrive in the new
worlds of health care.
About the speaker
Dr Geoff Royston is former Head of Strategic Analysis and Operational Research in the Department of Health for England, where for almost two decades he was the professional lead for a large group of health analysts. He is now an independent analyst and researcher and is the current President of the Operational Research Society. He is also an Associate of the Public Health Action Support Team (PHAST) and a Senior Associate of the Centre for Health Service Economics and Organisation at Nuffield College Oxford.
He has had a wide range of activities and responsibilities involving analysis and research to inform the design, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based policies and programmes in the health field. He has particular experience of modelling and understanding the behaviour of complex systems; of monitoring performance and evaluating the impact of innovations; of resource allocation methods; of analysis and communication of risk; and of horizon scanning and futures thinking.
Much of his work has involved assisting others to develop strategies, policies and programmes, and developing their capacity to do this more effectively. This has included designing and running participative events up to and including Chief Executive and Board level. He has also worked on information and communication technology in the health sector, and has been an adviser to the UK communications industry regulator (OFCOM). He made the original proposal for the development of the telephone and internet service “NHS Direct” and subsequently led its national launch.
Dr Royston has been a member of various university advisory groups, has been an external examiner for postgraduate courses in operational research and management science, and has served on both scientific and medical UK Research Council panels.
He has published extensively in both health and management journals and is a member of the editorial board for the journal Health Care Management Science, and is its Guest Editor for a forthcoming Special Issue on Global Health.
He has a variety of experience in the international health arena including being a consultant for the World Health Organisation, an adviser to the HIFA (Health Information for All) 2015 programme and a long standing member of the EURO Working Group on Operational Research Applied to Health Services.
He was Chair of the UK Government Operational Research Service in 2003/4. In 2008 he was elected Companion of Honour of the Operational Research Society and in 2010 he was elected to be the Society’s President for 2012-2013.
He has had a wide range of activities and responsibilities involving analysis and research to inform the design, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based policies and programmes in the health field. He has particular experience of modelling and understanding the behaviour of complex systems; of monitoring performance and evaluating the impact of innovations; of resource allocation methods; of analysis and communication of risk; and of horizon scanning and futures thinking.
Much of his work has involved assisting others to develop strategies, policies and programmes, and developing their capacity to do this more effectively. This has included designing and running participative events up to and including Chief Executive and Board level. He has also worked on information and communication technology in the health sector, and has been an adviser to the UK communications industry regulator (OFCOM). He made the original proposal for the development of the telephone and internet service “NHS Direct” and subsequently led its national launch.
Dr Royston has been a member of various university advisory groups, has been an external examiner for postgraduate courses in operational research and management science, and has served on both scientific and medical UK Research Council panels.
He has published extensively in both health and management journals and is a member of the editorial board for the journal Health Care Management Science, and is its Guest Editor for a forthcoming Special Issue on Global Health.
He has a variety of experience in the international health arena including being a consultant for the World Health Organisation, an adviser to the HIFA (Health Information for All) 2015 programme and a long standing member of the EURO Working Group on Operational Research Applied to Health Services.
He was Chair of the UK Government Operational Research Service in 2003/4. In 2008 he was elected Companion of Honour of the Operational Research Society and in 2010 he was elected to be the Society’s President for 2012-2013.