This paper sets simulation model verification and validation (V&V) in the context of the process of performing a simulation study. Various different forms of V&V need to take place depending on the stage that has been reached. Since the phases of a study are performed in an iterative manner, so too are the various forms of V&V. A number of difficulties with verifying and validating models are discussed, after which a series of V&V methods are described. V&V is seen as a process of increasing confidence in a model, and not one of demonstrating absolute accuracy.

IMPORTANCE The existing economic models for schizophrenia often have 3 limitations; namely, they do not cover nonpharmacologic interventions, they report inconsistent conclusions for antipsychotics, and they have poor methodologic quality. OBJECTIVES To develop a whole-disease model for schizophrenia and use it to inform resource allocation decisions across the entire care pathway for schizophrenia in the UK. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This decision analytical model used a whole-disease model to simulate the entire disease and treatment pathway among a simulated cohort of 200 000 individuals at clinical high risk of psychoses or with a diagnosis of psychosis or schizophrenia being treated in primary, secondary, and tertiary care in the UK.

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