Developing the framework for evaluation of the inherent static resilience of the access to care network

Abstract

The efficient response of a community in confronting a disaster mainly depends on the functionality of the healthcare system. The necessity of timely access to care highlights the importance of studying the resilience of the access to care network in pre- and post-disaster stages. This research is conducted to develop a framework to evaluate the inherent resilience of the access to care network in time-independent status. For this purpose, first, the concept of Inherent Static Resilience is developed, and then, the quantitative indicators of measuring the properties of inherent static resilience in the access to care network are proposed. Moreover, as a proof-of-concept, the implementation of the developed framework and indicators is specified for a real case study in one of the districts of Tehran, the capital of Iran. Finally, one of the applications of this framework in developing pre-disaster decision-making is presented with the aim of improving the inherent static resilience of the community. Improving the inherent static resilience achieved by upgrading the system’s serviceability under normal operating conditions, results in enhancing the efficiency of the system in utilizing the available resources and capabilities in the pre-disaster stage, as well as, enhancing the amount of performance provided right after a disaster occurrence and reducing immediate losses and inefficiencies.