Equity counters help guide the scheduling algorithm by defining limits or target distributions and by assigning shifts fairly according to the planner's configuration.
An equity counter tracks the equity units accumulated by each resource for one or more shifts during a scheduling period.
How equity counters work
An equity counter is linked to one or more shifts. Each shift has an equity unit value that determines how much the counter increases when a physician is assigned to the shift.
The planner assigns shifts to scheduling blocks that define when the shifts can be performed. Each block can contribute a defined number of units to the associated counter.
For example, an equity counter might track weekend on-call assignments. Each 12-hour weekend block could have a value of one unit. If a physician is assigned to three of these blocks during the scheduling period, the physician's current value is three units.
Shifts or blocks can contribute different numbers of units when the work requires different levels of effort or has different levels of importance.
Equity counter priorities
Equity counters have different priority levels. A counter's priority determines how strongly it affects automated planning.
| Counter type | Description |
|---|---|
| Limiting (blue) | Sets an assignment limit that automated planning must respect. For example, a physician may have a contractual limit on the number of assignments that physician can perform. Automated planning will not exceed the limit defined by the counter. |
| Influential (green) | Sets a preferred target for assignment distribution. Automated planning attempts to reach the defined target but may exceed that target when necessary to create a valid schedule or to fulfill required assignments. The target guides planning without acting as an absolute limit. |
| Simple (black) | Tracks and displays assignment totals but does not influence automated planning. Schedulers can use simple counters for monitoring, reporting, or reference. |
Reviewing equity counter values
In the Planning tool, you can view equity counter values for equity targets and for individual physicians.
This table describes how equity counter values are displayed.
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| Spec. | The value specifically defined for the counter, shift, and resource. |
| Target | The desired assignment value for the resource during the scheduling period. |
| Current | The assignment value accumulated so far during the scheduling period. |
| Delta | The difference between the current value and the target value. A positive delta means that the current value is above the target; a negative delta means that the current value is below the target. |
| As published | The counter value recorded when the schedule was published. Changes made after publication, such as transfers or exchanges, are not included. |
For example, if the Target is 8 and Current is 2, the Delta is -6, which means that the current value is below the target.
Planners can use this information to:
- Identify physicians whose assignment totals are higher or lower than the intended distribution.
- Compare assignment distributions across a group.
- Review whether assignments are moving toward equity targets.
- Support decisions when manually adjusting a schedule.