Medical logistics is a professional field in which logistical models are used and developed within both hospitals and the primary healthcare service. The research team comprises researchers from all areas linked to logistics as well as researchers with healthcare qualifications. The team works on projects linked directly to both the specialist and primary healthcare services.
The Center for Medical Logistics applies logistical models and interdisciplinary approaches in projects involving hospitals and primary healthcare services.
We collaborate with stakeholders in the healthcare service locally, nationally and internationally on key issues (such as capacity planning for patient flow, new operating models, etc.) with the aim of improving the utilisation of available resources.
The results of the research will primarily be published in international journals. Additionally, the center emphasises contract research. This strengthens contact with stakeholders in the sector and results in academically merited research based on practical issues.
The primary healthcare service faces major challenges following the implementation of the coordination reform. This has resulted in a number of tasks being transferred from the specialist healthcare service to community services, etc. As part of an ongoing project with three local authorities we have measured a number of activities to identify how time consumption is distributed. The results will be used in further analyses to develop more appropriate models for the operation of community services.
For a number of years, the specialist healthcare service has experienced challenges utilising the available resources. The media have focused on increased costs, long waiting lists and the postponement of surgery, for example. The specialist healthcare service comprises complex organisations that require coordination and collaboration across a multitude of departments and professions. This means that hospitals require good systems to ensure that the resources are utilised in the best way possible. In collaboration with St. Olav's Hospital we have shown how the application of simple production principles can increase resource utilisation in surgical wards and the factors that have an impact on efficiency.