Optimizing Physician Scheduling at Kempten Hospital: A Database-Driven Mathematical Programming Approach

The present work addresses the automation and optimization of the physician scheduling process in the department of a German hospital using a mixed-integer programming model. We demonstrate how relational data modeling principles can be applied to structure complex scheduling information, enabling the formulation of effective optimization models that would otherwise be impractical. We incorporate this automation and optimization into a decision support tool. Our approach enables the creation of plans much faster with less work, and the accompanying visualizations allow for easier evaluation of plan quality, providing significant managerial insights. This work results in a model that can be swiftly customized and implemented for other hospital-internal departments, as well as divisions in other hospitals. The schedules are built on previous schedules and consider compatibility with shift assignments occurring after the planning period. Furthermore, we introduce the capability to manage fairness over our considered planning horizon.

History: This paper was refereed.