Across the country, Canadians are worried about healthcare. As the federal election approaches, an Angus Reid Strategies poll shows that 79 per cent of respondents view health care as a very important issue.

With healthcare systems all over the world in the midst of a serious financial crisis, it’s hard to imagine a health care system with reduced wait times, more available beds and the ability to forecast the demand for particular surgeries.

However, Dr. Michael Carter, director of the Centre for Research in Healthcare Engineering and professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Toronto, has been helping hospitals in Ontario do just that.

Industrial engineering, a discipline closely related to management science and operations management, uses mathematical modeling and computer simulations to help organizations run more efficiently. Through the Centre for Research in Healthcare Engineering, Dr. Carter helps hospital and health care providers use their existing resources more efficiently.

For example, when asked to help solve the problem of long waitlists at a Toronto hospital, Dr. Carter found that patients were booked for 30-minute appointments but the average patient was in the office for 17 minutes. By slightly changing the booking practice to 20 minute appointments, the hospital was better able to manage their waitlist.

“I believe that industrial engineers, working collaboratively with clinicians and administrators can help the health care industry improve quality, reduce costs, improve effectiveness and increase efficiency,” Dr. Carter said.

Dr. Carter will be at Memorial to deliver a free public lecture on Thursday, Sept. 18. In his talk, he will describe examples, discuss opportunities and outline where he believes we need to go for the future.

The lecture, Improving Health Care Operations: Who Let the Engineer into the Hospital, is sponsored by the Faculty of Business Administration. It takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, in room 2001 of the Inco Innovation Centre. Parking is available in lot 18 and there will be a reception following the lecture.  Those interested in attending should RSVP by September 16 to Donna Fitzgerald, dfitzger@mun.ca or 737-3046.

Additionally, Dr. Carter will be giving a second lecture for faculty, Simulation modeling in health care: some examples and lessons learned, on Friday, Sept. 19, at 1:30 p.m. in room 3007 of the business building.