Definition, Validation and Comparison of Two Population Models for Austria

In this work we present two structurally different mathematical models for the prognostic simulation of Austria’s population: A time-continuous, macroscopic system dynamics approach and a time-discrete, microscopic agent-based approach. Both models were developed as case studies of a series of population concepts in order to support models for decision-support in Austria’s health care system. In the present work we want to focus on the definition, the parametrisation as well as especially the validation process of both population-models. The latter was of special interest as it included a cross-model validation with Statistics Austria’s own prognostic model SIKURS

Testing and Assessment in Mathematics via Web Applications

This paper deals with the web interface Maple T.A. which is used for mathematical education at the Vienna University of Technology. Maple T.A. is based on the computer algebra system Maple. This fact offers the possibility to test and assess the students in easy but also complex mathematical matters in an uncomplicated way. This interface was first used only for the refresher course. This course takes place in the first 3 weeks of the semester and deals with the repetition of all the important themes of the school mathematics. Maple T.A. is also used for the basic and advanced mathematical courses in the first two years in the study of electrical engineering. For these courses the use of Maple T.A. includes the offer of assignments for every chapter of the lecture but also homework and tests are realized in it

Definition, Validation and Comparison of Two Population Models for Austria

In this work we present two structurally different mathematical models for the prognostic simulation of Austria’s population: A time-continuous, macroscopic system dynamics approach and a time-discrete, microscopic agent-based approach. Both models were developed as case studies of a series of population concepts in order to support models for decision-support in Austria’s health care system. In the present work we want to focus on the definition, the parametrisation as well as especially the validation process of both population-models. The latter was of special interest as it included a cross-model validation with Statistics Austria’s own prognostic model SIKURS

A Web-based Platform for E-Learning and Blended Learning in Modelling and Simulation

The Mathematics Modelling and Tools (MMT) e-learning system is a platform used for supporting lectures and tutoring at the Vienna University and Technology. Additionally to traditional e-learning properties like up- and download of lecture notes, videos and slides the MMT system provides the surface for a virtual modelling and simulation laboratory. Very powerful calculation software like MATLAB, Java or Octave, running in behind, allows experimenting with targeted modelling and simulation examples prepared and developed by experts. These are first of all used to support the presentation directly at the lecture and can afterwards be accessed by students given a password at home. As especially MATLAB also allows development of suitable examples dealing with mathematics, so far about ten percent of all examples treat this specific topic and are used in math lectures. It showed that especially the live experience fiddling on pre-implemented examples poses a big improvement for lectures

A Web-based Platform for E-Learning and Blended Learning in Modelling and Simulation

The Mathematics Modelling and Tools (MMT) e-learning system is a platform used for supporting lectures and tutoring at the Vienna University and Technology. Additionally to traditional e-learning properties like up- and download of lecture notes, videos and slides the MMT system provides the surface for a virtual modelling and simulation laboratory. Very powerful calculation software like MATLAB, Java or Octave, running in behind, allows experimenting with targeted modelling and simulation examples prepared and developed by experts. These are first of all used to support the presentation directly at the lecture and can afterwards be accessed by students given a password at home. As especially MATLAB also allows development of suitable examples dealing with mathematics, so far about ten percent of all examples treat this specific topic and are used in math lectures. It showed that especially the live experience fiddling on pre-implemented examples poses a big improvement for lectures

More-Space – A Simulation Tool for University Room Management

As proposed in various studies, educational facilities hold a high potential yield for improvement of room utilization. The goal of the project “MoreSpace” at Vienna University of Technology (TU Vienna) was to develop a hybrid modeling approach which helps to increase the efficiency of the university’s space utilization. Besides coupling of Discrete Event Simulation (DEVS), Agent-based (AB) methods and Cellular Automata (CA), successful deployment of such a model requires a thorough integration within the peripheral system. Which in turn leads to preconditions that have to be met, (e.g. by input - data, visualization of results, dissemination, etc.). This paper covers the methods applied for analyses of the model and the peripheral system, which enable model integration. For this is necessary to also focus on the psycho-social layer of the institution, as it is this layer that often leads to rejection of otherwise “good” solutions by the people within institutions. The paper further describes a deployment matrix which puts the simulations - models mode of operation (i.e. one time utilization for consulting, recurrent and frequent utilization) into context with met preconditions and the required depth of system integration. This allows it to estimate whether a model can be deployed as intended or not; with alternatives being either a transformation of the system, reformulation of the question(s) towards the model or - in the worst case - abortion of the deployment process. In the latter case the value of the deployment matrix lies within an early judgment of the situation saving resources that would have been spend otherwise. In addition it is possible to use these for developing alternative solutions in support of the intentional goals

Algorithms to identify COPD in health systems with and without access to ICD coding: a systematic review

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Estimation of incidence, prevalence and disease burden through routine insurance data is challenging because of under-diagnosis and under-treatment, particularly for early stage disease in health care systems where outpatient International Classification of Diseases (ICD) diagnoses are not collected. This poses the question of which criteria are commonly applied to identify COPD patients in claims datasets in the absence of ICD diagnoses, and which information can be used as a substitute. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize previously reported methodological approaches for the identification of COPD patients through routine data and to compile potential criteria for the identification of COPD patients if ICD codes are not available. Methods A systematic literature review was performed in Medline via PubMed and Google Scholar from January 2000 through October 2018, followed by a manual review of the included studies by at least two independent raters. Study characteristics and all identifying criteria used in the studies were systematically extracted from the publications, categorized, and compiled in evidence tables. Results In total, the systematic search yielded 151 publications. After title and abstract screening, 38 publications were included into the systematic assessment. In these studies, the most frequently used (22/38) criteria set to identify COPD patients included ICD codes, hospitalization, and ambulatory visits. Only four out of 38 studies used methods other than ICD coding. In a significant proportion of studies, the age range of the target population (33/38) and hospitalization (30/38) were provided. Ambulatory data were included in 24, physician claims in 22, and pharmaceutical data in 18 studies. Only five studies used spirometry, two used surgery and one used oxygen therapy. Conclusions A variety of different criteria is used for the identification of COPD from routine data. The most promising criteria set in data environments where ambulatory diagnosis codes are lacking is the consideration of additional illness-related information with special attention to pharmacotherapy data. Further health services research should focus on the application of more systematic internal and/or external validation approaches

How sick is Austria? – A decision support framework for different evaluations of the burden of disease within the Austrian population based on different data sources

ABSTRACT Objectives In healthcare it is crucial to have a fundamental knowledge of the burden of diseases within the population. Therefore we aimed to develop an Atlas of Epidemiology to gain better insight on the epidemiological situation. Based on primary and secondary health care data, we aimed to present results in interactive charts and maps, comprehensible to experts and the general public. The atlas builds a framework for rapid deployment of new data and results in a reproducible and efficient way. As a first use case three methods based on two different databases for the estimation of diabetes prevalence in Austria are compared. Approach Datasources: (i) reimbursement data 2006/2007 (GAP-DRG); (ii) national routine health survey (ATHIS) for 2006/2007. Methods for diabetes prevalence estimation: 1) ATC-ICD statistically relates pseudonymized data on medications to data on diagnoses from hospitalizations and sick leaves. 2) With the method Experts, medical experts assign specific medications to diabetes diagnoses. Patients with these medications are identified together with hospitalized diabetes diagnosed patients in GAP-DRG. 3) In ATHIS a sample of 15.000 persons was questioned if they a) ever had diabetes and b) were treated against diabetes in the last 12 months. Results are projected onto the Austrian population. Patients are divided by 10-year age-classes, gender and state. For the publicly online framework, implemented in html and javascript, pre-processed data in different granularity is required and used. Results Maps of Austria represent the prevalence of diabetes for each method and granularity level. The difference of the methods can be seen by clicking on the next map. For different age-classes (resp. different gender) the three methods can be compared directly within a bar chart. The technology for a rapid deployment of new data is now developed. For the use case first results have already been presented to decision makers, and feedback has been incorporated. Conclusion Besides depicting disease prevalence, the atlas of epidemiology also allows to visualize health care service data and results of simulation models in a fast and efficient way, which is important for decision makers. Soon the results of the ATC-ICD project on the prevalence of different diseases based on ICD9 diagnoses and medication data will be published in an aggregated form. This project is part of the K-Project dexhelpp in COMET – Competence Centers for Excellent Technologies that is funded by BMVIT, BMWGJ and transacted by FFG

Covid-19: Szenarien für Herbst/Winter 2022 – und darüber hinaus

Die vergangenen Monate haben dynamische Entwicklungen der Pandemie verdeutlicht. Als Folge dessen kam es quasi zeitgleich in Österreich im ersten Quartal des Jahres 2022 neben dem Beschluss äußerst restriktiver Vorgaben wie der Impfpflicht auch wieder zur Aufhebung fast aller Schutzmaßnahmen im Zusammenhang mit der COVID-19-Pandemie. Die letzten beiden Jahre haben gezeigt, wie dynamisch und rasch sich die Situation phasenweise in der Pandemie ändern kann. Jede Phase erfordert – und je länger die Pandemie andauert, umso mehr – verstärkt interdisziplinäre Zugänge und klare Zielsetzungen für Public Health Interventionen. Dies ist einerseits im Sinne einer verständlichen Kommunikation gegenüber der allgemeinen Bevölkerung wichtig, und andererseits im Sinne einer effektiven Bekämpfung der Ausbreitung der Pandemie unbedingt erforderlich