摘要Due to a lack of resources,rural communities often face challenges when planning catastrophic events.This project involved applying systems thinking and model-based systems engineering to develop a proof-of-concept,multi-method computer simulation and then determining whether the simulation could be used to assess the efficacy of disaster planning approaches on health outcomes in rural communities,as a function of primary healthcare.The project focus was a rural or non-urban healthcare system experiencing a natural hazard.Both system dynamics and discrete event models were incorporated to represent subsystem operations,crucial disaster responses,as well as three key response systems:public health,emergency management,and healthcare.The subsystem models included several components:policies/procedures,communications,resources,exercises/drills/training,healthcare space and staff,and the flow of affected people into and through the system.The combined simulation can serve as a first step to a more comprehensive approach to helping rural communities achieve more efficient and effective healthcare planning for disaster responses.