Computer-assisted radiology resident rotation scheduling.

The author developed a method for computer-assisted scheduling of resident rotations in which the chief resident determines the most desirable set of rotations for each resident, disregarding specific month assignments except as required or requested, and the computer generates the schedule by assigning months to rotations. The computer uses an efficient search algorithm to find a schedule that satisfies all requirements. The method satisfies training goals, staffing needs, and residents' desires more effectively than manual scheduling. Although fixed staffing levels for every rotation are required, flexibility is achieved through "dummy" assignments of rotations to residents.