Automation Improves Schedule Quality and Increases Scheduling Efficiency for Residents.

Background: Medical resident scheduling is difficult due to multiple rules, competing educational goals, and ever-evolving graduate medical education requirements. Despite this, schedules are typically created manually, consuming hours of work, producing schedules of varying quality, and yielding negative consequences for resident morale and learning.

Objective: To determine whether computerized decision support can improve the construction of residency schedules, saving time and improving schedule quality.