The use of computer modelling and simulation is allowing researchers to test operational assumptions in a virtual but controlled experimental environment.

Developing a valid computer simulation model allowing (1) to model complex medical response systems with several types of victims, (2) to test different aspects of the medical response.

The SIMEDIS (Simulation for the Assessment and Optimization of Medical Disaster Management) computer simulator consists of 3 interactive components: the victim creation model, the victim monitoring model, and the medical response model.

The objectives of the study were to create a disaster medical response simulation model in the case of an aircraft crash and in a CBRN incident simulation, to test and to optimize existing and future medical disaster response plans, to develop a victim model, to develop a victim creation model and a victim monitoring model, and to produce a pre-hospital medical response model.

The case studies showed that the SIMEDIS simulator is offering a valuable tool for testing the impact of several interventional factors on the disaster medical response in specific scenarios including more complex situations such CBRN-incidents.

This study reflects the potential of SIMEDIS to model complex systems, to test different aspects of the disaster medical response and to potentially inform changes in practices. This might be of potential interest for disaster response planners allowing them to make the best choices in composing their medical teams and adapting the medical response system.