In this paper, we present SCHNAPS, a generic simulator designed for health care modelling and simulations, parametrizable by configuration files and usable by non-programmers such as public health specialists. SCHNAPS is a population-based simulator, using hybrid-state agents to simulate time-driven models. Its software architecture integrates some fundamental object oriented concepts to facilitate further developments and extensions. The proposed approach aims at narrowing the gap between the simulation model and the conceptual modelling made by public health specialists. Current work on osteoporosis, under evaluation by health care specialists, is also presented as a real use case.
['Audrey Durand', 'Christian Gagné', 'Marc-André Gardner', 'François Rousseau', 'Yves Giguère', 'Daniel Reinharz']
SCHNAPS: a generic population-based simulator for public health purposes