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Real-Time Workload Management Is Associated With Improved Workforce Allocation Efficiency in a Tertiary Care Teaching
Andreas Steven Kunz1, Jan-Peter Grunz1, Johannes Hof1
1University Hospital Wurzburg, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Germany, Würzburg.
Purpose:
Workforce allocation is challenged by fluctuating workloads, increasing subspecialization in radiology, and heterogeneous training levels. This study evaluated whether real-time workload monitoring and intraday workforce reallocation were associated with reduced physician overtime.
Materials And Methods:
In July 2025, a real-time radiology workload management process was introduced. Its technical core was an in-house developed workload monitoring platform based on an SAP-based hospital information system. The platform provided real-time workload information that was used by a senior radiologist for structured intraday workforce reallocation. A before-after analysis compared July-December 2024 and 2025. Monthly overtime per physician was the primary outcome. Staffing and examination volumes were recorded. Nine months after implementation, an anonymous survey assessed acceptance, transparency, fairness, and perceived effects on workload distribution.
Results:
Overtime decreased significantly despite stable staffing and a 3.9% increase in examination volume (CT: +5.7%; MRI: +2.8%): Mean monthly overtime declined from 8.0 ± 3.5 hours to 6.2 ± 2.9 hours among residents (-22.0%; p=0.028) and from 14.3 ± 3.9 hours to 11.0 ± 4.2 hours among attendings (-23.0%, p=0.004). In the survey (34 respondents; response rate 65.4%), users reported good understanding of the system (mean score 4.7/6), positive transparency (4.4/6), fair workload distribution (4.3/6), and overall positive evaluation (4.3/6).
Conclusion:
Real-time workload monitoring supported data-driven workforce reallocation and was associated with reduced overtime despite stable staffing and increasing workload. While causality cannot be established, these findings suggest that such approaches represent a practical strategy for supporting workforce allocation while maintaining high user acceptance.
Key Points:
· Real-time workload monitoring supported data-driven intraday workforce reallocation.. · Overtime decreased despite stable staffing and increasing examination volumes.. · Users reported improved transparency and fairer workload distribution..
Citation Format:
· Kunz AS, Grunz J, Hof J et al. Real-Time Workload Management Is Associated With Improved Workforce Allocation Efficiency in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital Radiology Department. Rofo 2026; DOI 10.1055/a-2981-0003.
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