OptiHSoins Research Project

More humane optimization of healthcare facility schedules

Group : Dynamic Systems and Optimization

Labelling: none

Duration: 4 years

Funding: ANR

Staff involved from LARIS: Christelle GUERET, Axel GRIMAULT, David RIVREAU

Project partners: Odile BELLENGUEZ (LS2N - project holder), Université d’Angers/Laboratoire Angevin de Recherche en Ingénierie des Systèmes (LARIS), Université d’Angers/Groupe de Recherche Angevin en Économie et Management (GRANEM),Université de Tours/Laboratoire d'Informatique Fondamentale et Appliquée de Tours (LIFAT), IMT Atlantique/Laboratoire des Sciences du Numérique de Nantes (LS2N), IMT Atlantique/Centre Nantais de Sociologie (CENS)

Abstract

Numerous studies in hospitals show the great difficulty of creating work schedules, which is a source of tension in the teams and a very heavy burden for the managers. These studies also highlight the lack of software and methodological tools to simplify this task. In this context, the research project OptiHSoins proposes first of all, on the basis of a qualitative research methodology belonging to a sociology of activity, to analyse the work of health managers and care teams linked to the elaboration and co-construction of schedules. The development of a decision-making tool that takes into account the collective strategies and practices identified constitutes the second stage. The objective is to provide means to support inter-personal arrangements through simplified evaluations and comparisons between relevant alternative solutions. To this end, the observations and analysis of the activity will feed the development of innovative optimisation methods, taking into account the great variety and number of collective constraints and habits, in order to allow a significant saving of time for the construction and management of the schedules of the nursing staff. Particular attention will be paid to solutions that allow for exchanges between staff, and that can be explained in order to support discussions and operational decisions.