Simulation Model to Study Provider Capacity Release Schedules under Time-Varying Demand Rate for Acute Appointments, Demand for Follow-Up Appointments, and Time-Dependent No Show Rate

Abstract

We address the problem of scheduling patient appointments in a family medicine clinic. A significant barrier to a clinic's sustainability is under-utilization of the medical providers it employs. Practically all patient appointments are scheduled some time in advance (from an hour to months ahead), and under-utilization happens because some patients do not keep their appointments and do not provide sufficient notice for the clinic to reschedule another patient into the freed slot. Using a stylized simulation model we investigate an algorithm for appointment capacity release that increases provider utilization.

Intraday dynamic rescheduling under patient no-shows

“…Various approaches have been studied to reduce no-show rates. Some examples of these approaches are: using open-access scheduling ( [11], [12], [13], [14]), controlled release of capacity ( [15]) and sending out appointment reminders ( [16], [17], [18]). Another stream of work attempts to hedge against the uncertainty of no-shows through overbooking.…”