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Outpatient appointment systems in healthcare: A review of optimization studies

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  • Ahmadi-Javid, Amir
  • Jalali, Zahra
  • Klassen, Kenneth J

Abstract

Outpatient appointment scheduling problems have recently gained increasing attention. This paper provides a comprehensive review of recent analytical and numerical optimization studies that present decision-support tools for designing and planning outpatient appointment systems (OASs). A structure for organizing the recent literature according to various criteria is provided, including a framework that classifies decisions at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels. The OAS literature is evaluated from four perspectives: problem settings, environmental factors, modeling approaches, and solution methods. In addition, research gaps and areas of opportunity for future research are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmadi-Javid, Amir & Jalali, Zahra & Klassen, Kenneth J, 2017. "Outpatient appointment systems in healthcare: A review of optimization studies," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 258(1), pages 3-34.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:258:y:2017:i:1:p:3-34
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2016.06.064
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