Stochastic radiotherapy appointment scheduling

Abstract When scheduling the starting times for treatment appointments of patients in hospitals or outpatient clinics such as radiotherapy centers, minimizing patient waiting time and simultaneously maximizing resource usage is crucial. Significant uncertainty durations makes those activities particularly challenging. In addition to treatments themselves, also preparation exiting have be considered, which are uncertain well. To address analyze this type problems, current study develops a model planning appointment under activity medical unit with single “core resource” (in our application case beam device), several rooms, required phases each patient. We employ novel buffer concept based on quantiles duration distributions introduce reactive procedure that adapts pre-determined baseline schedule actual flow. For heuristically solving resulting stochastic optimization model, combination Genetic Algorithm Monte Carlo simulation proposed. A uses real-world data gathered from an ion therapy facility Austria. Experimental results comparing different variants method carried out. particular, comparisons approach simpler deterministic given.