| Abstract: | Describes development of a computer simulated design of primary care service delivery within a complex organization. Data for the model was obtained by interview, from financial records, patient charts, personnel files, and by questionnaire. The design regards primary health care need as a variable dependent on population characteristics and disease incidence rates, with delivery of care being determined by community needs. By extension of this line of thought, the most appropriate organizational design for the institution must necessarily be based on the specific environment in which it operates. The model and the simulation of primary health care activity in a health department supported the hypothesis that staff assignment is a function of community need for the service, and is also a function of the resources available. Changes in lag time for feedback regarding goal attainment did not produce any changes in performance, and political support was not found to be directly related to staffing of a particular program. An important conclusion to be drawn from this research is that resource administration and allocation requires skills in community diagnosis and internal management which health administrators would do well to include in their education. |
