Waiting list

Waiting list is a term used in various fields, including healthcare, education, and housing, to refer to a list of individuals or entities that are awaiting a service or opportunity. The concept of a waiting list is often associated with the allocation of limited resources.

Overview

A waiting list is typically created when the demand for a particular service or opportunity exceeds the supply. Those on the list are usually served on a first-come, first-served basis, although other factors may also determine the order in which individuals are served. For example, in the field of organ transplantation, a patient's medical urgency, blood type, size match, and time on the waiting list may all factor into their placement on the list.

Waiting lists in healthcare

In healthcare, waiting lists are often used to manage the allocation of treatments and surgeries. Patients are placed on a waiting list when the demand for a particular treatment or surgery exceeds the supply of healthcare providers or resources. The length of time a patient spends on a waiting list can vary greatly depending on the nature of the treatment or surgery, the patient's condition, and the healthcare system's capacity.

Waiting lists in education

In education, waiting lists are commonly used in the admissions process for schools, colleges, and universities. When the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of available spots, those applicants who are not initially accepted may be placed on a waiting list. The applicants on the waiting list may be offered admission if spots become available due to other applicants declining their offers of admission.

Waiting lists in housing

In the field of housing, waiting lists are often used to manage the allocation of public or subsidized housing. When the demand for such housing exceeds the supply, eligible applicants are placed on a waiting list. The length of time an applicant spends on a waiting list can vary greatly depending on the demand for housing, the applicant's circumstances, and the housing authority's policies.

See also

• Queue (abstract data type)
• Priority queue
• Supply and demand