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General information
Diederik C.F. Rothengatter is a PhD. Candidate in the Information Systems and Change Management department. He holds a MSc. In Business Information from the University of Twente. His main research focus is on an engineering approach to methodology development for information systems design in professional service organizations.
Research projects
Medical processes, and diagnostics in particular, are characterized by their high stochasticity, variability, heterogeneity, complexity, and their lack of resources. The traditional technique to schedule diagnostic resources and staff, and the medical treatments itself is based on a central organized approach. A central system directs the subordinate systems, while trying to optimize the planning system-wide for a limited period ahead. Because of deviation caused by the medical process characteristics – let alone human influences - traditional planning and scheduling approaches’ results only are optimal for the exact point in time they are produced.
The most often used method to attain a solution which is valid for a extended period is to introduce batched, sequenced, and buffered input. However, the main problem with batched and buffered input is that it leads to sub optimization and inter-departmental waiting queues.
Agent-based systems provide an alternative means for scheduling problems. In supply chain logistics, coordination problems, and resource planning, agent-based systems have proven to be successful in optimizing resource utilization.
In his research, Diederik Rothengatter applies agent technology in health care organizations, trying to acquire the promising perspectives from the other fields. This research involves taking a better look at current scheduling performances in health care organizations, acceptance factors to artificial intelligence and decision support systems by physicians, and system integration issues.