A paradigm for computer-assisted radiology resident rotation scheduling.
OBJECTIVE
The scheduling of radiology residents remains a major annual undertaking of chief residents. In this article, we describe a paradigm to implement interactive computer programs to reduce the inefficiencies and inequities of planning the yearly schedule.


METHODS
We used the programming language, Prolog, to develop a compact program that provides faster and more flexible performance than those reported in the literature. This interactive program stores scheduling requirements in data files separated from the control program and runs on a Macintosh computer.


RESULTS
The schedule of any residency year is generated within 3-7 sec. The fast computation and query capabilities of this scheduling program have helped chief residents to identify conflicting requirements that were previously overlooked.


CONCLUSIONS
Using our programming paradigm, we have developed a portable Prolog-based scheduling program that is quick and easy to use.
Wong
S T
ST
Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0628, USA.
Huang
H K
HK
Goldstein
R B
RB
Arenson
R
R
Cruz
J C
JC
Ostrow
K
K
Gerson
E
E
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D001330:Electronic Data Processing / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D011381:Programming Languages; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education*; D012984:Software / Q000191:economics; D014481:United States