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How tired is too tired? A case report.
Everett Zdrill1, Jonathan White
1University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. ezdrill@ualberta.ca
Journal of Surgical Education
|November 1, 2012
Summary
A surgical resident experienced acute delirium due to job duties, highlighting "fatigue" as a potential emerging condition. Conservative treatment resolved symptoms, suggesting implications for surgical training and well-being.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Neurology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Surgical residency is known for demanding work hours and high stress.
- Acute delirium is a sudden disturbance in attention and cognition.
Observation:
- A 32-year-old male surgical resident presented with acute delirium after daily work.
- The patient had no prior medical conditions.
- Social history revealed he was in surgical residency.
Findings:
- The patient's symptoms resolved with conservative management.
- The case suggests a potential new condition termed "fatigue" linked to occupational demands.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential impact of extreme work demands on resident well-being.
- Recognizing "fatigue" could inform strategies to improve surgical training and prevent burnout.
- Further research is needed to understand this emerging condition in healthcare professionals.
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