The role of discrete-event simulation in emergency management during the COVID-19 pandemic

Since its emergence, the COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly evolved into a global health crisis. Despite efforts to contain it, deaths have continued to rise, resulting in profound impacts across all sectors of society. Discrete-event simulation (DES) is a critical tool that helps managing the crisis. This study examines the impact of DES in addressing issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic through bibliometric analysis. The findings show that DES has been widely used to simulate the effective implementation of public health measures, virus spread, and mass vaccination in addressing COVID-19 related issues. However, publications have shown variations over time. Highlighting the importance of DES in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, this study also identifies key areas where this method can be effectively applied. These results provide valuable insights to guide future efforts in managing this global health crisis.