Abstract
In the presence of multiple conflicting objectives and
constraints, healthcare staff scheduling is complex. This research
presents a fuzzy-based genetic algorithm (FGA) for handling
multiple conflicting objectives and constraints common in healthcare
manpower scheduling problems. Fuzzy set theory is used for genetic
evaluations of alternative staff schedules by representing the fitness
of each alternative solution as a fuzzy membership functions. The
proposed FGA framework is designed to incorporate the often
imprecise decision maker’s preferences and choices in terms of
weights. The framework is also designed to provide a population of
alternative solutions for the decision maker, rather than prescribe a
single decision. It is anticipated that the FGA procedure forms a
useful decision support tool for healthcare staff scheduling in a fuzzy
environment with multiple conflicting objectives and constraints.