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The problem of appointment scheduling in outpatient clinics: A multiple case study of clinical practice

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  • Kuiper, Alex
  • de Mast, Jeroen
  • Mandjes, Michel

Abstract

Operations research and management science have produced many algorithms or rules for appointment scheduling, approaching that task as a mathematical optimization problem. It is, however, not sufficiently clear to what extent such problem definitions capture the objectives and limitations of appointment scheduling in real healthcare applications. This paper aims to reconstruct the structure of the problem faced by outpatient clinics by applying a multiple-case-study approach, based on a research model developed from operations-management theory, followed up by workshops. This study therefore breaks new ground by linking the problem of appointment scheduling as rendered by the operations-research literature to theory in operations management and practice in the field.

Suggested Citation

  • Kuiper, Alex & de Mast, Jeroen & Mandjes, Michel, 2021. "The problem of appointment scheduling in outpatient clinics: A multiple case study of clinical practice," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jomega:v:98:y:2021:i:c:s0305048318311277
    DOI: 10.1016/j.omega.2019.102122
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Nossack, Jenny, 2022. "Therapy scheduling and therapy planning at hospitals," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).

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