The impact of 24-h shift on cardiac anesthesia fellows

To investigate the workload, sleep quality, and psychological wellbeing of anesthesiologists at a large volume cardiovascular center.

Eighteen anesthesiologists were enrolled from Fuwai Hospital. Data was collected using questionnaires and wearable smart wristbands. Participants worked 24-h shifts (from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. the following day), during which they were responsible for emergency endotracheal intubation, invasive arterial catheterization, and central venipuncture catheterization, and analgesia pump management. Sleep parameters, physical activity, calories expenditure were recorded continuously throughout the shift using a wristband. The following self-report instruments were administered before and immediately after the shift: a self sleep quality rating, the Big Five Personality Traits, the Profile of Mood States (POMS), and the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS).

Fatigue scores on the POMS increased significantly after the 24-h shift (P < 0.05), whereas no other mood subscales showed statistically significant changes. Wristband data revealed limited sleep during the monitored duty period. KSS scores increased significantly from pre-shift to post-shift. The workload and physical monitoring data suggested that anesthesiologists experienced substantial physical and emotional strain during 24-h shifts.

During a 24-h on-call shift, anesthesiologists obtained limited sleep and reported significantly increased fatigue and sleepiness post-shift. These findings emphasize the need for systemic changes in clinical scheduling to improve physician health and patient safety.