[Classification of duties in surgical wards]

Area of Science:

• Medical research
• Surgical practice
• Occupational health

Background:

• Night duties in surgical wards present significant physical and mental demands.
• Surgeons' tasks during night shifts include emergency room staffing, operations, and patient care.
• Limited research exists on the impact of night duties on surgeons' well-being and subsequent performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of night duties on the general health of surgeons.
• To categorize surgical duties based on their impact on surgeon health.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study utilizing the modified Short Form Survey (SF)-12.
• Questionnaires were distributed to surgeons within the surgical department at Hvidovre Hospital.

Main Results:

• A response rate of 59.4% (38 out of 64 surgeons) was achieved.
• Response rates varied by seniority: residents (71.9%), senior residents (70%), and consultants (36.4%).

Conclusions:

• Night duties showed no statistically significant impact on the overall general health of surgeons.
• A tendency suggests night duties may affect demanding physical or mental activities the following day, especially in female surgeons.