Prolepsis offers an eclectic selection of face-to-face and online, educational and training workshops grounded in novel interdisciplinary science and tailored to the needs of population and occupational health and safety scientists and practitioners. Our current offerings fall under three broad categories:
- Science and Practice of Complex Systems and Network Analysis (3 workshops)
- Building Simulation Skills for Population Health Researchers (3 workshops)
- Workplace Safety and Health Training (3 workshops)
Workshops are taught by accomplished subject-matter experts with expertise and track record in various areas of population health and safety research. Our offerings will begin in Fall 2023:
- Fall and Spring workshops will take place during three-day weekends.
- Summer workshops will be one-week long.
Prolepsis currently offers the following three workshops.
Systems Thinking in Health Research
This workshop introduces participants to how systems thinking can improve understanding of health challenges and impactful health policies in a complex world. Using scenarios from population health and healthcare, it covers simple as well as more advanced concepts and techniques (e.g., complex adaptive systems, dynamic complexity, causal loop diagrams, networks, tipping points, simulation). Emphasis is placed on how community and stakeholder engagement can advance their causes.
Network Analysis in Health Research
This workshop introduces participants to the role of networks—which lie at the very heart of every society—in population health. Using population health and healthcare examples, case studies, and big data, it covers network structure, organization, relationships among components, topologies, and dynamics, among others. Beyond a static representation of networks, emphasis is placed on dynamic visualization and analysis.
Computational, Network, and Data Sciences in Health Research
This workshop introduces participants to the convergence of data, network, and computational sciences for improving decision making in population health and healthcare. Using big data, this workshop covers how novel science works in various combinations—network analysis, machine learning, AI, data mining, optimization techniques, mathematical modeling, inferential modeling, and computation—can contribute to more effective decision making in various health contexts.
Prolepsis currently offers the following three workshops.
Agent-based Modeling for Health Decision Making
This workshop introduces participants to theory, methods, and tools of agent-based modeling (ABM) for application in population health and healthcare. Using health and healthcare examples, this workshop guides participants to the nuts and bolts of ABM (i.e., designing, building, extending, creating, analyzing, simulating, verifying, validating, and replicating ABM), using AnyLogic©. The goal is to convey an understanding of how ABM can be used together with traditional analytical methods. This should help participants to develop their own AB models, and prepare them to make sound decisions, and to design more effective policies in population health and healthcare.
Systems Dynamics Modeling for Health Decision Making
This workshop introduces participants to theory, methods, and tools of system dynamics modeling (SDM) for application in population health and healthcare. Participants are guided to the nuts and bolts of SDM, including policy resistance, system structure, causal loops diagrams (CLD), reinforcing and balancing loops, stock-and-flow diagrams (SFD), integration of CLD and SFD, simulation modeling, and sensitivity analysis, using Vensim© and/or AnyLogic©. Participants will improve their understanding of how SDM can be used together with traditional analytical methods; will develop their own SD models; and will be prepared to make sound decisions and design more effective policies in population health and healthcare.
Hybrid Modeling for Health Decision Making
This workshop introduces participants to theory, methods, and tools of hybrid modeling and simulation for application in population health and healthcare. Using an array of insightful examples, the workshop guides participants to the essentials of hybrid modeling, combining mainly system dynamics, agent based, and discrete event modeling, using AnyLogic©. An understanding of how hybrid modeling can be used together with traditional analytical methods will be conveyed. Participants will be able to develop their own hybrid models and be prepared to make sound decisions and design more effective policies in population health and healthcare.
Prolepsis currently offers the following three workshops.
Creating Safer and Healthier Workplaces for Truckers
This workshop for supervisors covers OSHA standards and guidelines for truck drivers; DOT medical certification requirements and guidelines; prevalence of common health conditions/concerns among drivers; impact of medical conditions, medications and drugs on safety and crash risk; best practices for health programs for drivers; fleet/carrier safety culture and driver health; process for minimizing risks from overexertion, lifting/moving, loading/unloading, contact with objects/equipment; risks involving falling objects, falls, and transportation accidents; personal protective equipment; hazardous materials; and roadway safety.
Creating Safer and Healthier Workplaces for Hotel Housekeepers
This workshop for supervisors covers OSHA-employers’ general duties; OSHA regulations and rules; housekeepers’ workplace hazards, impacts, and prevention of injury/pain/accidents; prevention of ergonomic hazards (lifting and carrying, bending, reaching, repetitive movements); training housekeepers to apply ergonomic tools and equipment to housekeeping work; reduction and management of workplace stress; addressing workplace discrimination and bullying; and creating a safe and healthy work environment; and supervisory skills.
Creating Safer and Healthier Workplaces for Foodservice Workers
This workshop for supervisors covers OSHA standards and guidelines for supervisors/employers; identifying and eliminating workplace hazards; prevention of foodservice worker injuries (burns, cuts, slips and falls); prevention of ergonomic hazards (lifting and carrying, bending, reaching, repetitive movements); preventing the spread of infectious diseases; fire safety; restaurant electrocution prevention; workplace violence prevention; reduction and management of workplace stress; creating a safe and healthy work environment; and supervisory skills.
