Biscochito Launches Collaborative Scheduling Study with Leading Universities
Biscochito, a Santa Fe-based in-home care provider, is partnering with Harvard Business School and the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University on a groundbreaking field study. This research initiative, detailed in the “Kimberly Goes to Business School” series, will analyze the implementation of collaborative scheduling powered by artificial intelligence within the caregiving organization. The study formally commences in the first week of March, marking a significant step in exploring innovative workforce management strategies.
The core focus of the investigation isn’t whether to adopt collaborative scheduling – that decision has already been made organization-wide – but rather how to best support this transition. Researchers aim to determine if an AI assistant can empower caregivers to manage their schedules effectively, simultaneously fostering greater teamwork and organizational cohesion. This approach represents a departure from traditional, top-down scheduling models common in the home care industry.
Examining the Impact of AI-Assisted Caregiver Collaboration
Half of Biscochito’s caregivers will utilize a newly developed AI tool designed to facilitate this collaborative process. The remaining caregivers will receive support from Nina Martinez and Roberta Payne, serving as dedicated liaisons throughout the study. Researchers, including Jasmijn Bol from Tulane and Dennis Campbell from Harvard, have already conducted preliminary interviews and will continue to gather both qualitative and quantitative data throughout the duration of the project.
The design of the AI assistant is intentionally focused on promoting interaction, surfacing caregiver availability, and encouraging peer-to-peer communication. Unlike many technological advancements that aim to minimize human interaction, this system is engineered to strengthen relationships and encourage caregivers to collectively resolve scheduling challenges. The ultimate goal is to enhance interconnection and asynchronous collaboration within a dispersed workforce.
The Foundation for Sustainable Caregiving
Kimberly Corbitt, leader of Biscochito, emphasizes that this shift is rooted in 20 years of experience in the caregiving sector. She believes that for caregiving to thrive as a sustainable profession, caregivers require three essential elements: a consistent and dependable schedule, a strong support network, and the highest possible hourly compensation. Scheduling, Corbitt asserts, is central to achieving all three.
Traditionally, home care scheduling has been centralized, with coordinators managing shifts and resolving conflicts. Biscochito’s new model aims to decentralize this responsibility, empowering caregivers to coordinate coverage within their teams and manage continuity collectively. This shift is anticipated to reduce costs associated with centralized oversight and foster greater interdependence among caregivers. The study will meticulously track the impact of this change on workflow, collaboration, and overall caregiver well-being.
This academic partnership, Corbitt explains, isn’t dictating the direction of the shift, but rather providing a rigorous framework for examination and refinement. The series will document the practical implementation of the new system, analyzing caregiver responses, the AI’s influence on interactions, data-driven insights, and necessary adjustments to the structure.
