Scenario-based simulation game for hospital beds capacity planning in Singapore

• Main Authors: CHEONG, Michelle L. F., LIM, Li Siong
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2016
• Subjects: scenario-based; simulation game; learning object; capacity planning; hospital beds; Asian Studies; Operations and Supply Chain Management; Service Learning
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sis_research/3459; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/sis_research/article/4460/viewcontent/IcETI_2016_MLFC_LSL_Revised__1_.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

A complete learning object with scenario-based simulation game and accompanying materials, which allows self-directed learners to learn and apply the theory, concepts and calculations for capacity planning, in the hospital beds capacity planning scenario in Singapore, was designed, developed and immplemented. It guides the learners through the key considerations for capacity planning, the computation of actual capacity needed, deciding the time for capacity increments, as well as the economies and diseconomies of scale when adding capacity. All the learnings are applied in a scenario where the learners make decision on how much and when to add hospital beds to existing hospitals, and when to add a brand new hospital, to manage the bed crunch problem in Singapore, in the face of an aging population. We have successfully demonstrated how a scenario-based simulation game with high level of interactivity, can engage and motivate self-directed learners to learn at their own pace and practice their knowlede acquired by immersing them in a well-known context. A high percentage of the learners found the learning object engaging and motivating, and effective in their learning. Between the 2 runs, some improvements were made in response to the suggestions made by students from the first run, which resulted in better results achieved in the 2nd run.