> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.planmyrounds.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How duty swaps work in PlanMyRounds

> Doctors can swap or hand over shifts directly with a colleague — no admin approval needed. Here's how it works and when to use it.

Last-minute changes happen — a family event, a study commitment, or simply a tough week. **Duty swaps** in PlanMyRounds let doctors handle these between themselves on a published roster, without waiting for an admin.

The scheduling engine checks every swap on the fly, so the roster stays compliant with your rules even when changes happen at speed.

## Two types of changes

> **Swap**
>
> A true exchange — you take your colleague's shift, they take yours. Shown with a **double-arrow** icon.

> **Transfer**
>
> You hand off your shift to a colleague who has a free slot and nothing to give in return. Shown with a **single-arrow** icon.

## When can a doctor swap?

* The roster must be **Published**. Draft rosters cannot be swapped on.
* The doctor must be **signed in** to their PlanMyRounds account. Public link viewers will be prompted to log in first.
* The proposed change must not break any [scheduling rule](/docs/rosters/roster-constraints) — rest hours, back-to-back limits, and so on.

## How the flow works

**1. Initiate**

A doctor opens the roster and selects the swap icon on their own shift. See [Swapping shifts](/docs/swaps/requesting-a-swap).

**2. Choose a partner**

PlanMyRounds shows eligible colleagues with valid swap or transfer options, ranked by fairness and fit.

**3. Auto-confirm**

On confirmation, the engine re-validates the change and applies it immediately. See [How swaps are confirmed](/docs/swaps/approving-a-swap).

**4. Everyone sees the change**

Both doctors get notified, and the [roster reflects the new assignments](/docs/swaps/viewing-a-swap) for everyone — including public link viewers.

## Swap vs. admin edit

| Situation | Best tool |
| - | - |
| Two doctors want to trade their own shifts | Duty swap |
| Last-minute illness or emergency — admin needs to step in | [Admin edit](/docs/rosters/editing-a-published-roster) |
| Reversing a swap that shouldn't have happened | [Admin edit](/docs/rosters/editing-a-published-roster) |
| Adding a doctor who isn't on the roster | [Admin edit](/docs/rosters/editing-a-published-roster) |

> [!NOTE]
>
> Swaps don't need admin approval, but admins can always step in and adjust assignments through the **Edit Roster** view.

## Next steps

> **[Swapping shifts](/docs/swaps/requesting-a-swap)**
>
> Step through requesting a swap as a doctor.

> **[How swaps are confirmed](/docs/swaps/approving-a-swap)**
>
> Understand what happens the moment you tap Confirm.


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