Patient referral mechanisms by using simulation optimization

•To develop simulation optimization models to analyze patient referral mechanisms.•To verify and validate the models with real case applications in Taiwan.•Minimizing patients average waiting time and maximize the profits are objectives.•Numeric experiments with two objectives suggest a sound patient referral mechanism.

Building patient referral mechanisms between two hospitals is the focus of this research, which considers different kinds of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) services offered by the case hospitals. The simulation optimization approach is the main tool for analysis, along with the formulation of a mathematical model and a simulation framework to conceptualize a collaborative MRI patient-referring mechanism. The objective of the study is to obtain the best feasible number of referral outpatients to minimize patients’ average waiting time or to maximize the revenues of both case hospitals. The results can serve as guidelines for hospital collaboration.