Research Methods in Healthcare Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Stewardship-Mathematical Modeling

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2016 Nov;37(11):1265-1271. doi: 10.1017/ice.2016.160. Epub 2016 Aug 8.

Abstract

Mathematical modeling is a valuable methodology used to study healthcare epidemiology and antimicrobial stewardship, particularly when more traditional study approaches are infeasible, unethical, costly, or time consuming. We focus on 2 of the most common types of mathematical modeling, namely compartmental modeling and agent-based modeling, which provide important advantages-such as shorter developmental timelines and opportunities for extensive experimentation-over observational and experimental approaches. We summarize these advantages and disadvantages via specific examples and highlight recent advances in the methodology. A checklist is provided to serve as a guideline in the development of mathematical models in healthcare epidemiology and antimicrobial stewardship. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;1-7.

MeSH terms

  • Antimicrobial Stewardship*
  • Bias
  • Checklist
  • Communicable Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Epidemiologic Methods
  • Health Services Research / methods
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Models, Statistical*
  • Research Design