Introduction to the Use of Linear Programming in Strategic Health Human Resource Planning

This article provides an introduction to the use of linear programming in strategic health human resource planning. We focus on a multiperiod linear programming approach that compares all feasible human resource strategies to identify education, recruitment, and promotion plans that achieve a supply–demand balance at the least cost to the system. The approach applies to a wide range of healthcare provider groups contingent on data availability (potential sources include regulatory, educational, employer, government and administrative databases, and research publications). Its ease of use and strong mathematical foundation make this model ideal for “What-if?” analysis and assessments of sensitivity of decisions to assumptions and data accuracy. Keywords: health workforce planning; linear programming; large healthcare systems; HHR planning; attrition rate