Faculty and resident perceptions regarding overnight student call during the third year OB/GYN clerkship

The objective of this study is to identify university faculty, community physician, and resident perceptions of how a schedule that employs overnight call in addition to a traditional weekday schedule affects medical student education, well being, and patient care during the third year obstetrics and gynecology clerkship.

In July 2007, a descriptive study was performed by distributing surveys to community teaching physicians, current residents, and faculty in the University of Hawai'i Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. A total of 114 surveys were distributed to all current residents, clinical faculty and full-time faculty in the University of Hawai'i Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The survey included questions regarding the effect of the student call/work hour restrictions.

A response rate of 45.6% was obtained (52/114). Results demonstrate that 84.6% (44/52) of residents, faculty, and community attendings agree that third year medical students should take call during their obstetrics and gynecology clerkship. Data was analyzed utilizing Spearman correlation and Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel statistics. No statistical difference was detected in terms of age or physician type (resident vs faculty vs community attending).

Most physician-educators believe that medical students benefit from taking overnight call during their obstetrics and gynecology clerkship. Careful consideration should be given prior to elimination of overnight call in the obstetrics and gynecology clerkship.