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Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments
Published on: August 8, 2019
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Rethinking shifts: shift length, diurnal variability, and long-term health risks for emergency medicine physicians
Nour Khatib1, Anna Kempinska2, Helen Levin2
1Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Internal and Emergency Medicine
|July 4, 2025
Summary
Emergency physicians face significant physical and mental challenges due to shift work. This review explores the impact of shift work on emergency department physicians and suggests mitigation strategies for improved well-being.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Occupational Health
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Emergency physicians provide continuous 24/7 care, acting as a critical entry point to healthcare.
- Shift work in emergency departments presents unique physical and mental challenges.
- Maintaining physician well-being is crucial for patient safety and healthcare system function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the existing literature on emergency department (ED) shift work.
- To examine the mental and physical health implications of shift work for emergency physicians.
- To identify strategies for mitigating the adverse effects of shift work.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on ED shift work.
- Analysis of research on physician well-being and shift work.
- Synthesis of evidence-based mitigation strategies.
Main Results:
- Shift work negatively impacts emergency physicians' physical health (e.g., fatigue, sleep disturbances) and mental well-being (e.g., burnout, stress).
- Specific challenges include circadian rhythm disruption and increased risk of medical errors.
- Various strategies, including scheduling adjustments and lifestyle modifications, show potential for mitigating negative effects.
Conclusions:
- Shift work poses significant risks to emergency physicians' health and performance.
- Proactive strategies are necessary to support the well-being of physicians in demanding ED environments.
- Further research is needed to optimize shift work models and support systems.
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