Abstract for: Using the ReThink Health Model of Local Health System Reform (hosted by the Health Policy SIG)

In the U.S., we often think of health system reform as being something that happens at the national level, but much, indeed perhaps more, must also be done locally, at the level of a city, county, or region. A system dynamics model of local health system reform was developed as part of the ReThink Health initiative of the Fannie E. Rippel Foundation. This model was presented in a plenary session at ISDC 2012 in Switzerland, and has now been developed further, and calibrated to represent various real locations, as well as a microcosm of the U.S. overall we call "Anytown USA", depicting realistic changes from 2000 to 2040. This two-hour session (held during the Wednesday lunch break) will give participants, organized as small teams, the opportunity to experiment with the online version of the model. This experience will be followed by a broad discussion on health system reform and possible further uses and extensions of the model. Participants should bring their own lunch and a laptop with wi-fi capability. This special session is hosted by the Health Policy SIG, but all are invited.