Title of article :
Dynamic Thinking Approach of Non-medical Use of Pharmaceutical Opioids
Author/Authors :
Zeinali, Farahnaz Department of Phamaeconomics - School of Medicine - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Rajabzadeh Ghatari, Ali Department of Industrial Management - School of Management and Economics - Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran , Mohammadzadeh, Mehdi Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmaceutical Management - School of Medicine - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Mojibian, Fatemeh Department of Industrial Management - School of Management and Economics - Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
Unsteady increase in using pharmaceutical opioids is a phenomenon that has existed
in human societies for a long time. Furthermore, the ever-growing trend of addiction to
opioids affects communities in various economic, social, and cultural aspects. Since abusing
pharmaceutical opioids is a complex dynamic problem, it is extremely difficult to recognize
the factors influencing this abuse. Thus, applying such dynamic models as system dynamics
(SD) plays an important role in addressing these complex dynamic problems. System dynamics
model falls in two categories of qualitative and quantitative system dynamics. In this paper,
causal loop diagrams (CLDs), which are conceptual qualitative stages were applied, and
variables were elicited from literatures; then, the initial CLDs were generated, and afterward,
some experts were interviewed in order for the CLDs model to be evaluated. Ultimately,
a meeting was held for discussing the variables and validating the diagrams. In this study,
variables are connected by causal relationships called reinforcing and balancing. Then, the
CLD model clearly depicted how the variables interact with one another indifferent stages of the
process. The CLDs model is a fundamental issue in developing quantitative system dynamic,
assisting policymakers in forecasting the process of non-medical use of pharmaceutical opioids
and finding some measures to reduce their usage.
Keywords :
Addiction , Pharmaceutical opioids , Causal loop diagrams , Qualitative model , System dynamics
Journal title :
Astroparticle Physics