Taking back control: a better deal for junior doctor engagement in rota design using e-Delphi and Assignment Problem Algorithm

Abstract

The British Medical Association and NHS Employers published a guide to good rostering practice, which emphasised the need for a collaborative approach, in which the views of junior doctors should be taken into account when designing a rota.1 The guidance, however, did not provide tools for promoting junior doctor engagement in this process. Lack of structured consultation strategy and low level of satisfaction contribute to the prevailing narrative that junior doctor's input is undervalued, resulting in ’a crisis in junior doctor engagement’.2 This case study presents the utility of e-Delphi exercise for consultation and Assignment Problem Algorithm to improve satisfaction by matching work patterns to doctors’ preferences. Following review of workload and medical staffing, Medway Maritime Hospital undertook a redesign of its medical registrar (MR) rota in October 2018. With support from the Medical Staffing Department, a new rota was drafted by …