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Updated: May 10, 2025

Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments
Published on: August 8, 2019
Impact of shift durations on sleep, fatigue, and wellness among neonatologists: a cross-sectional survey analysis
Ryan M McAdams1, Renate Savich2, Patrick J McNamara3
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA. mcadams@pediatrics.wisc.edu.
Objective:
To assess the effects of shift durations on sleep, fatigue, and wellness among U.S. neonatologists in diverse settings.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey of U.S. neonatologists yielded 810 responses from 4400 recipients. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, logistic regression, and cluster analysis.
Results:
Younger neonatologists (<35 years) reported the highest fatigue levels, with females more affected than males (p = 0.0185). Male neonatologists were less likely than females (OR 0.55, p = 0.0013), and those in university settings more likely than non-university settings (OR 1.43, p = 0.0389), to report adverse effects of shifts >16 h. Cluster analysis identified three fatigue patterns, with the most severe among younger neonatologists working shifts >16 h.
Conclusion:
Long shifts (>16 h) negatively affect neonatologists' wellness, particularly younger and female clinicians. With most neonatal-perinatal medicine fellows being female, policies addressing shift duration are needed.
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