A problem solving strategy based on a case study from SARS epidemic

Abstract

In the first half of the year 2003, the whole world was seriously panicked by SARS, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndromes. Taiwan was also heavily stricken. While the public in Taiwan was run over by the fear of this unprecedented disaster, the key factors contributing to the ineffective control of the epidemic was identified to be a series of fault decisions made by the panic-stricken official. Since March 31, 2013, a cumulative total of 400 H7N9 influenza infections, including 125 deaths, have been confirmed in China and Hong Kong. Thus far, a cumulative total of 601 suspected H7N9 cases and 156 deaths worldwide have been reported to Taiwan CDC (Centers for Disease Control). The infection in Taiwan has been confirmed in four imported cases, including one death. In order to provide a problem solving strategy for well managing this potential crisis by government, this study tries to use the concept of Case Based Reasoning (CBR) to apply a case study of SARS epidemic. One important question is often asked: what would have happened if the disease control officer had competent problem solving skills and had timely reacted in line with this epidemic development? It is our task to simulate the problem solving process in the SARS war by deploying the Theory of Constraints (TOC) Problem Solving Model. We also discuss and demonstrate some of findings about TOC application in problem solving.