Impact of EWTD on teaching and training in Irish paediatric medicine: positive or negative?

The European working time directive (EWTD) was instituted in Children's University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin, October 2010. This study aimed to assess the impact of the EWTD on teaching and training in hospital paediatric medicine. Research tools included questionnaire and focus group. Twenty out of a potential 52 non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) completed the questionnaire. Sixty five percent (n = 13) of respondents stated the EWTD had an impact on teaching, with 75% (n = 15) stating it made it more difficult to attend hospital teaching sessions. The majority (95%, n = 19) felt it did not result in increased consultant or registrar teaching time. Thirty five percent (n=7) said the EWTD had decreased consultant supervised training time in specific procedures while 50% (n = 10) felt it had reduced registrar supervised training time. The EWTD enabled NCHDs to attend teaching sessions less tired (65%, n = 13) but they missed significant teaching due to enforced rest and cross cover arrangements.