A hierarchical goal programming model for scheduling the outpatient clinics

Abstract

In this study we address scheduling the of the residents and the senior academic staff to out- patient clinics (OCs) in a physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) department. The current schedules are prepared manually. The department is not satisfied with the schedules because of frequent changes and in capabilities in handling the preferences of the residents. We propose a hierarchical goal program- ming (HGP) model to address these issues. Our proposed model reduces the frequent changes within monthly schedules, allow the residents to work with different specialists until their graduation, satisfies the preferences of the residents and conforms with the requirements of the department. Problems of real- istic size can besolved to optimality in a reasonable amount of time. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.