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Published on: February 4, 2015
Emergency medicine residents' shiftwork tolerance and preference.
M T Steele1, O J Ma, W A Watson
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Truman Medical Center, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, 64108, USA. steelemt@trumed1.trumanmed.org
Summary
Emergency medicine residents prefer shorter shifts, with most favoring 8 or 10 hours over 12-hour shifts. Factors like eveningness preference and sleep flexibility influence shiftwork tolerance.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Occupational Health
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Shiftwork is common in emergency medicine (EM) residency programs.
- Understanding resident preferences and tolerance for different shift lengths is crucial for well-being and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess current shift lengths worked by EM residents.
- To determine EM residents' preferred shift lengths.
- To identify factors influencing residents' tolerance of shiftwork.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to allopathic EM residents (PGY-2 to PGY-4) in May 1996.
- The questionnaire collected data on worked shift lengths, preferred shifts, night schedules, and subjective shiftwork tolerance.
- Factors assessed included overcoming drowsiness, sleep flexibility, and chronotype (morningness-eveningness).
Main Results:
- Most residents worked 12-hour shifts (37%) or combinations (34%).
- A significant majority (73%) preferred 8-hour or 10-hour shifts over 12-hour shifts (21%).
- Eveningness preference, better drowsiness management, sleep flexibility, younger age, and having no children were linked to higher shiftwork tolerance.
Conclusions:
- EM residents generally tolerate shiftwork well but prefer shorter shifts (8 or 10 hours).
- Residency programs utilizing 12-hour shifts should consider transitioning to shorter durations.
- Addressing resident preferences may improve overall well-being and potentially performance.
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