Computer-assisted scheduling of radiology resident call

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Administration
• Computer Science Applications in Medicine

Background:

• Traditional methods for assigning resident call schedules are often unfair and time-consuming.
• The need for equitable distribution of daily call duties among residents is a significant challenge in academic medical centers.
• Manual scheduling processes can lead to resident dissatisfaction and administrative burden.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement a computerized scheduling program to address inequities in resident call assignments.
• To create a fair and efficient system for managing daily call schedules for residents at two university hospitals.
• To reduce the administrative workload associated with manual call scheduling.

Main Methods:

• A COBOL-based computer program was developed and run on a CDC mainframe.
• The program incorporates logic parameters to restrict call frequency and duration.
• A point system quantifies call difficulty and time commitment, balancing resident point totals within a set range.

Main Results:

• The computerized system generates flexible and equitable monthly call schedules.
• The program automatically handles call exchanges, minimizing manual corrections.
• Significant time savings were observed for the chief resident and residency secretary.

Conclusions:

• Computerized scheduling effectively resolves difficulties in assigning fair and equivalent resident call duties.
• The developed program offers an equitable, efficient, and time-saving solution for residency program administration.
• This approach enhances fairness and reduces administrative overhead in medical residency programs.