The impact of electronic and self-rostering systems on healthcare organisations and healthcare workers: A mixed-method systematic review

Aim: To synthesise evidence from studies that explored the impact of electronic and self-rostering systems to schedule staff on healthcare organisations and healthcare workers. Design: Mixed-method systematic review. Methods: Studies were screened by two independent reviewers and data were extracted using standardised data extraction tables. The quality of studies was assessed, and parallel-results convergent synthesis was conducted. Data Sources: Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, ERIC, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and PsycARTICLES were searched on January 3, 2023. Results: Eighteen studies were included (10 quantitative descriptive studies, seven non-randomised studies and one qualitative study). Studies examined two rostering interventions including self-rostering (n = 12) and electronic rostering (n = 6). It was found that the implementation of electronic and self-rostering systems for staff scheduling impacted positively on both, healthcare workers and healthcare organisations. Benefits included enhanced roster efficiency, staff satisfaction, greater control and empowerment, improved work-life balance, higher staff retention and reduced turnover, decreased absence rates and enhanced healthcare efficiency. However, self-rostering was found to be less equitable than fixed rostering, was associated with increased overtime, and correlated with a higher frequency of staff requests for shift changes. Conclusion: The impact of electronic and self-rostering systems to schedule staff on healthcare organisations and healthcare workers’ outcomes was predominantly positive. Further randomised controlled trials and longitudinal studies are warranted to evaluate the long-term impact of various rostering systems, including electronic and self-rostering systems. Implications for Healthcare: Rostering is a multifaceted responsibility for healthcare administrators, impacting patient care quality, workforce planning and healthcare expenditure. Impact: Given that healthcare staffing costs constitute a substantial portion of global healthcare expenditure, efficient and strategic resource management, inclusive of healthcare staff rostering, is imperative. Reporting Method: The 27-item Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) checklist. Patient or Public Contribution: No Patient or Public Contribution.