Model Behavior in UK Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology is the busiest outpatient clinic in the UK – and getting busier each year. Patients are struggling to get their treatments on time and the NHS is under extreme operational and financial pressures. 

When considering opportunities to save money, looking at drug costs in isolation may be a false economy as not all treatments result in the same outcomes. Recent treatments with innovative modes of action may provide clinical and cost-effective outcomes and sometimes may even create a reduced burden of care from HCPs, for example, by requiring less time for administration and monitoring. 

Service Impact Modeling (SIM) uses computer-based models to simulate the overall impact – beyond simple drug acquisition cost – of treatments on real-world healthcare systems, processes, or interventions. SIM can predict the impact of changes in staffing levels or the introduction of new medical technologies. It can simulate disease outbreaks and assess the effectiveness of various intervention strategies, such as vaccination campaigns or quarantine measures. And it can predict the potential impact of changes in healthcare policies, procedures, and technologies before their implementation. 

In ophthalmology, this type of modeling can be used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different strategies for treating diabetic retinopathy, the effectiveness of different glaucoma screening strategies – such as tonometry and visual field testing – and the impact of cataract surgery on visual acuity and quality of life. Roche’s SIM for ophthalmology clinical teams allows local NHS services to assess their overall capacity and costs, including drugs and services, and compare scenarios to discover how best to treat patients. 

In short, SIM can be a valuable tool for local or regional NHS stakeholders that have an interest in service modeling and budgeting. It enables policymakers and healthcare providers to make informed decisions that can improve patient outcomes and overall healthcare quality.