Smart Scheduling (SMASCH): multi-appointment scheduling system for longitudinal clinical research studies

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Clinical Research Management
• Software Engineering

Background:

• Longitudinal clinical research studies often face complex multi-appointment scheduling problems (MASPs).
• Efficient management of clinical resources and patient data is crucial for study success.
• Existing systems may not adequately address the dynamic needs of long-term research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a flexible and maintainable software solution for MASPs in clinical research.
• To reduce administrative time and optimize the utilization of clinical resources.
• To enhance data security and accountability in compliance with data regulations.

Main Methods:

• A web-based tool, the Smart Scheduling (SMASCH) system, was developed using Python 3.
• The system follows a model-view-controller architecture for modularity and scalability.
• SMASCH is available as a Linux package and Docker image for easy deployment.

Main Results:

• The SMASCH system effectively facilitates clinical research and integrated care programs.
• It provides features to better manage MASPs and expedite administrative tasks.
• The system is designed to meet current data protection regulations, improving data accountability.

Conclusions:

• SMASCH offers a free, open-source solution for clinical study scheduling challenges.
• The system supports the long-term requirements of longitudinal research through an iterative development approach.
• Implementing robust scheduling systems like SMASCH can significantly improve key metrics for clinical study success.