2018
Authors
Simas, OFJE; Rodrigues, JPC;
Publication
2017 International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation: Engineering, Technology and Innovation Management Beyond 2020: New Challenges, New Approaches, ICE/ITMC 2017 - Proceedings
Abstract
The main objective of this work was to answer the question 'How are videogames implemented in healthcare organizations to be used as therapy instruments?'. This question emerged in the intersection of the recent increasing interest in the use of this type of technologies in therapy, with the importance of the implementation process for organizations to use a technology in its full potential. A multiple case study was performed, using three cases of implementations of Nintendo Wii console as a therapy instrument in rehabilitation clinics. The cases were used to compare the implementation of the same technology in organizations with the same core activity. The implementation processes were characterized and compared in light of the well-established literature about implementations of technologies, which led to a preliminary conceptual generalization of the implementation of videogames in healthcare organizations when they are intended to be used as therapy tools, highlighting the key characteristics of such projects. From this research it was possible to conclude that when adopting a console such as Nintendo Wii with rehabilitation purposes, the adoption decision seems to be predominantly informal; the stage of preparation of the implementation (when therapists conveniently prepare themselves to start using the console in their treatments) is quite important for the implementation process; the implementation of a technology such as Nintendo Wii occurs as a mutual adaptation process although with characteristics of a learning implementation, where adaptations occur mostly in the adopter; and, even though there may not be in place the best conditions to use the technology in its full potential, the efforts to routinize it may help overcoming the resistance to use it that results from those lack of conditions © 2017 IEEE.
2018
Authors
Rodrigues, JC; Freitas, A; Garcia, P; Maia, C; Pierre Favre, M;
Publication
2018 3RD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE PORTUGUESE SOCIETY FOR ENGINEERING EDUCATION (CISPEE)
Abstract
Doctoral programmes are facing several challenges in modern societies. The societal role of the University, funded by the state, requires it to: a) increase the offer and admission of third cycle students; b) to reach industry/companies expectations; c) to ensure reasonable employability prospects for the PhD candidates. With the current demography, most candidates can only find a job in industry/companies. Therefore, significant pressure is being put on doctoral programmes to include transferable skills in their curriculum. This paper presents a course "Fit for Industry?" aiming at filling this need. The course design methodology is presented in detail. It includes: a) the involvement of industry since its inception; b) the joint identification of a small number of key competencies to be addressed; c) the inclusion of assessment and feedback mechanisms in its design; d) an immersive and international dimension. It was found that the course had a profound impact on the candidates' perceptions of industry and valued by industry participants. Other stakeholders, such as PhD supervisors, also had a positive perception. The paper concludes with recommendations for those willing to replicate the course locally.
2018
Authors
Alem, D; Curcio, E; Amorim, P; Almada Lobo, B;
Publication
COMPUTERS & OPERATIONS RESEARCH
Abstract
This paper presents an empirical assessment of the General Lot-Sizing and Scheduling Problem (GLSP) under demand uncertainty by means of a budget-uncertainty set robust optimization and a two-stage stochastic programming with recourse model. We have also developed a systematic procedure based on Monte Carlo simulation to compare both models in terms of protection against uncertainty and computational tractability. The extensive computational experiments cover different instances characteristics, a considerable number of combinations between budgets of uncertainty and variability levels for the robust optimization model, as well as an increasing number of scenarios and probability distribution functions for the stochastic programming model. Furthermore, we have devised some guidelines for decision-makers to evaluate a priori the most suitable uncertainty modeling approach according to their preferences.
2018
Authors
Lopes, MA; Almeida, AS; Almada Lobo, B;
Publication
HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
Abstract
Starting in the 50s, healthcare workforce planning became a major concern for researchers and policy makers, since an imbalance of health professionals may create a serious insufficiency in the health system, and eventually lead to avoidable patient deaths. As such, methodologies and techniques have evolved significantly throughout the years, and simulation, in particular system dynamics, has been used broadly. However, tools such as stochastic agent-based simulation offer additional advantages for conducting forecasts, making it straightforward to incorporate microeconomic foundations and behavior rules into the agents. Surprisingly, we found no application of agent-based simulation to healthcare workforce planning above the hospital level. In this paper we develop a stochastic agent-based simulation model to forecast the supply of physicians and apply it to the Portuguese physician workforce. Moreover, we study the effect of variability in key input parameters using Monte Carlo simulation, concluding that small deviations in emigration or dropout rates may originate disparate forecasts. We also present different scenarios reflecting opposing policy directions and quantify their effect using the model. Finally, we perform an analysis of the impact of existing demographic projections on the demand for healthcare services. Results suggest that despite a declining population there may not be enough physicians to deliver all the care an ageing population may require. Such conclusion challenges anecdotal evidence of a surplus of physicians, supported mainly by the observation that Portugal has more physicians than the EU average.
2018
Authors
Hein, F; Almeder, C; Figueira, G; Almada Lobo, B;
Publication
COMPUTERS & OPERATIONS RESEARCH
Abstract
This work addresses the well-known capacitated lot sizing problem (CLSP) which is proven to be an NP-hard optimization problem. Simple period-by-period heuristics are popular solution approaches due to the extremely low computational effort and their suitability for rolling planning horizons. The aim of this work is to apply genetic programming (GP) to automatically generate specialized heuristics specific to the instance class. Experiments show that we are able to obtain better solutions when using GP evolved lot sizing rules compared to state-of-the-art constructive heuristics.
2018
Authors
Neves Moreira, F; da Silva, DP; Guimaraes, L; Amorim, P; Almada Lobo, B;
Publication
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART E-LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORTATION REVIEW
Abstract
This paper presents a new formulation for a time window assignment vehicle routing problem where time windows are defined for multiple product segments. This two-stage stochastic optimization problem is solved by means of a fix-and-optimize based matheuristic. The first stage assigns product dependent time windows while the second stage defines delivery schedules. Our approach outperforms a general-purpose solver and achieves an average cost decrease of 5.3% over expected value problem approaches. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis on three operational models shows that it is possible to obtain significant savings compared to the solutions provided by a large European food retailer.
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