Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 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
A Patient Panel Assignment Strategy to Balance Provider Workload in Family Medicine
Yu-Li Huang1, David R Rushlow2
1Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
A new patient panel assignment framework effectively balances provider workload in primary care by predicting appointment needs. This strategy significantly reduces workload variations, though some patient reassignments are necessary for optimal distribution.
Area of Science:
- Primary Care Management
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Provider workload and burnout are critical issues in primary care, often driven by patient panel size and mix.
- Effective patient panel assignment is essential for balancing provider workload and preventing burnout.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and demonstrate a patient panel assignment framework for equitable workload distribution among primary care providers.
- To improve the balance of appointment volume across providers in a family medicine setting.
Main Methods:
- Developed a framework predicting patient appointment needs using patient characteristics and Adjusted Clinical Group (ACG) scores.
- Grouped patients by predicted appointment needs and determined provider group caps.
- Allocated patients to providers within established caps to ensure even distribution.
Main Results:
- The proposed framework significantly reduced appointment variations among providers, with an 85% decrease in standard deviation and 84% in range for a group of 14 providers.
- Demonstrated improved workload balance through 100 simulated reassignments.
- 11.7% of patients required reassignment to achieve balanced workloads.
Conclusions:
- The developed framework is effective in supporting provider workload balance in primary care.
- Future research should focus on minimizing patient reassignments while maintaining care continuity and incorporating additional workload factors.
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 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.
01:21Planning 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...
01:18Introduction To Health Care Delivery System
The healthcare system is constantly changing and complex. Various services are available from different healthcare providers, but gaining access to these services has become challenging for people with limited healthcare insurance. Uninsured people present a challenge to healthcare because they frequently postpone or forego treatment.
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) advocates for a patient-centered, effective, safe, timely, equitable, and effective healthcare system. The National Priorities...
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) advocates for a patient-centered, effective, safe, timely, equitable, and effective healthcare system. The National Priorities...
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
At the different levels of the healthcare system, we see varying methods of healthcare used. These methods include managed care systems, case management, and primary healthcare.
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
01:13Patient-centered Care
Patient-centered care involves delivering care beyond inpatient hospitalization. Reflective practice can enhance a patient-centered approach. Reflective practice is a process of reasoning that considers all aspects of the present situation, including practicalities, learning from personal practice, and consideration of patient needs. Patients appreciate care decisions made while considering their input. Involving the patient in their care provides the patient with a sense of contribution rather...