Microsimulation Model for Health Economics

MVan

Hello everyone,

I am working on a Microsimulation model using Simul8's State Charts features for a Health Economics project. However, I am concerned about the concept's feasibility, since state charts are considered as "labels", and not as "objects", hence missing considerable functionality.
I am already aware of the "Simulation and Health Economics" guide, and its corresponding YouTube tutorial, published by Simul8. Nevertheless, the guide was released in 2013, and there is no further updated material using State Charts for a similar purpose.

Any thoughts about the project's feasibility using Simul8?
I would appreciate any suggestions about up-to-date relevant material / tutorials regarding Simul8's functionality and utilization for State-transition modeling (NOT Discrete event simulation) in Health Economics.

Thank you in advance for your time and assistance.
Best regards,
Minos

DanaiC

Hi Minos, thanks for this insight!

Just by reading your description, this seems feasible in Simul8, using a combination of State Charts and DES simulation, we call this a Hybrid Simulation.
Transitions between states can be modelled just by using State Charts, for the sub-state/ event, you might need a model with Basic Building blocks, but again might not be necessary, it depends on what you are modelling.
There are different transit types, with one of them being a rate of transit for each amount of time, so a transition for every cycle length is feasible.
For the Labels, it's worth mentioning that each of the States represents a Label, so you can either use different States for each Label, or simply a discrete model for representing the Label values. As for a .csv defining the number of patients for each of the States. We have features supporting the import of .csv files (Excel Connections, Arrival times & Labels from a .csv, Visual Logic commands - VL is Simul8's scripting language). Check this tip here on how to do this: https://blog.simul8.com/simul8-tip-adding-work-items-to-states-based-on-label-value/

If you'd like, drop us an email to support@simul8.com so I can send you some more examples and content on this.

Thank you,
Danai

DanaiC

Hey Minos! No problem at all, interesting to see what you are modelling with State Charts!

The longest time unit we currently have is Days so I recommend converting the months to days numbers for your parameters.

As for global variables, you can add them to the Results Manager by right-clicking on them through the Information Store. When right-clicking on them, click "Add to KPIs". Here's some info on what the Information Store is: https://www.simul8.com/support/help/doku.php?id=features:information_store

Danai

DanaiC

Hi Minos! This is Danai from Simul8 Support, I can help you with any questions and with any examples if this will help!
We have some examples we can provide you with, could you give some more insight on what you want to do?

If you'd like you can send an email to support@simul8.com so we can work together to meet your needs

MVan

Hi Danai,
Thank you very much for your prompt answer.

So the case is that I have undertaken a Health Economics modeling project.
Indeed, I would like to build an individual-level 5-state transition disease model (death as the absorbing 5th state).
Each of the first 4 states allows transition to every other state, and also to a hospitalization sub-state/event which is exclusive for each of the 4 states. Transitions are allowed once every cycle length.
The cycle length of the model is 1 month, and its time horizon 5 years.
Each of the 4 states is assigned QALYs and costs labels, and in case of a hospitalization event, QALYs decrement and costs increment take place.
Each individual is being randomly pooled from a patient registry CSV file, and enters one of the 4 states when the model starts running, depending on a discrete value (1-4) corresponding to each of the 4 states.

Any thoughts about the project's feasibility using Simul8?
I could also send you the microsimulation conceptual model, in order to gain better understanding of the project.
I would appreciate any advice and insight regarding Simul8's functionality and utilization for cohort or individual-level state-transition modeling in Health Economics.

Thank you once again for your time and assistance.
Best regards,
Minos

MVan

Hi Danai,
Thank you once again for your prompt answer and assistance.

Indeed, the tip about adding work items to states based on label value is pretty helpful.
I would like to ask two further questions :
1) Is it possible to set time units clock property to 1 month (maybe via VL, since the maximum time unit in "Clock Properties" window is "Days")?
2) I am thinking of setting Costs and QALYs either as "global variables" or "labels". Is it possible to somehow add either global variables or labels to the "Results Manager" panel, and process them via the panel?

I would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused.
I will be dropping an e-mail to support@simul8.com for more content soon!
Best regards,
Minos

MVan

Hi Danai,
Thank you very much for your time and support!
Your assistance and advice are highly appreciated.
Hopefully, I will not be having any further questions in the near future .

Best regards,
Minos

jacksonjayden

The Markov model is commonly used in chronic disease modelling to facilitate the fact that patients can transit to disease states repetitively during simulation.

jeffzz111

Yes, it's feasible. using a combination of DES and state charts.

hayat

@DanaiC said:
As for global variables, you can add them to the Results Manager by right-clicking on them through the Information Store. When right-clicking on them, click "Add to KPIs". Here's some info on what the Information Store is: https://www.simul8.com/support/help/doku.php?id=features:information_store

Thank you for your help. That worked for me!