Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
05:18
Radiation Planning Assistant - A Web-based Tool to Support High-quality Radiotherapy in Clinics with Limited Resources
Published on: October 6, 2023
Clinical appointment process: improvement through schedule defragmentation.
Jie Lian1, Kori Distefano, Somer D Shields
1Micro Systems Engineering Inc., Lake Oswego, OR 97035, USA. jie.lian@biotronik.com
Summary
Improving clinic efficiency involves optimizing appointment scheduling. This study introduces a defragmentation method considering patient-provider preferences, which enhances appointment acceptance and clinic utilization rates.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Operations Research
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Conventional clinic appointment scheduling systems often create fragmented time slots, leading to inefficiencies.
- Inefficient scheduling impacts patient access to healthcare providers and clinic resource utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and evaluate a novel appointment scheduling method based on schedule defragmentation.
- To improve clinic efficiency by considering patient and provider mutual preferences.
Main Methods:
- Developed a schedule defragmentation algorithm incorporating patient-provider preferences.
- Utilized computer simulation to assess the impact of the defragmentation method on scheduling efficiency.
- Conducted a clinical survey to identify practical implementation challenges and opportunities.
Main Results:
- Computer simulations demonstrated that patient-provider cooperation effectively reduces schedule fragmentation.
- The proposed method significantly increased appointment acceptance rates and clinic time utilization.
- Decreasing unit time slot size further improved scheduling efficiency when service time distribution was accurately estimated.
Conclusions:
- Schedule defragmentation, incorporating mutual preferences, offers a viable solution to improve clinical appointment scheduling.
- The method has the potential to enhance patient access and optimize clinic resource management.
- Further research and practical implementation are needed to address identified opportunities and challenges.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model
The case management model is a multidisciplinary approach that involves healthcare professionals from diverse disciplines, such as physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, and pharmacists, working collaboratively to address the various needs of patients. Each healthcare professional brings unique expertise and perspectives, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the patient's condition and tailoring treatment plans accordingly.
For example, a patient with a chronic illness...
For example, a patient with a chronic illness...
01:26Methods of Documentation IV: Focus Charting
Focus Charting, also known as the focus charting system or "focus documentation," is a systematic documentation approach used in healthcare to organize patient information in medical records.
It typically involves three columns for recording information:
It typically involves three columns for recording information:
01:21Planning Nursing Care I
The planning phase of the nursing process helps nurses set priorities, outline patient-centered goals and expected outcomes, and tailor nursing interventions to align with the aligned care plan. Through the planning phase, the nurse applies critical thinking skills to align and develop interventions according to the patient's needs. It provides continuity of care allowing patients to receive the maximum benefit from treatment. It serves as a pilot plan for allocating individual staff to a...
01:21Methods of Documentation III: PIE
Problem-intervention-evaluation (PIE) is a systematic approach to documentation used in healthcare settings for clinical decision-making and patient care planning. It is a structured approach to organizing patient data based on problems, interventions, and evaluations. Here's a breakdown of its key features and considerations:
01:26Methods of Documentation II: POMR
The Problem-Oriented Medical Record (POMR) revolutionized medical record-keeping by introducing a systematic approach focusing on the patient's problems rather than merely listing symptoms. Dr. Lawrence Weed's introduction of this method in the 1960s marked a significant advancement in medical documentation. The POMR framework consists of four key components: the database, problem list, plan of care, and progress notes.
01:28Formats for Nursing Documentation
Nursing documentation encompasses various formats designed to capture precise patient data, facilitate communication among healthcare team members, and ensure comprehensive and accurate patient records. Let's explore each of these formats in detail:
Nursing Assessment Form:
• A nursing assessment form is a foundational document that captures detailed patient data from physical assessments and nursing histories.
• It includes patient demographics, medical history, current medications, vital...
Nursing Assessment Form:
• A nursing assessment form is a foundational document that captures detailed patient data from physical assessments and nursing histories.
• It includes patient demographics, medical history, current medications, vital...