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Cognitive performance and mood after a weekend on call in a surgical unit
K A Wesnes1, M B Walker, L G Walker
1Cognitive Drug Research Ltd, Reading, UK.
The British Journal of Surgery
|April 1, 1997
Summary
Junior doctors experience significant cognitive impairment and mood changes after a weekend on call. This impacts concentration, memory, and energy levels, highlighting issues with current duty rosters.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Cognitive psychology
- Surgical residency
Background:
- Growing concerns regarding junior doctors' working hours.
- Need to assess the impact of on-call duties on surgical residents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the emotional and cognitive effects of a weekend on call for surgical house officers.
- To understand the consequences of extended duty hours on medical professionals.
Main Methods:
- Assessed 10 surgical house officers using a counterbalanced design.
- Measured cognitive functioning with the Cognitive Drug Research system.
- Evaluated emotional state using the Aberdeen Mood Rating Scale.
Main Results:
- Significant impairment in concentration, speed, and power observed after on-call weekends.
- Doctors reported feeling less confident, energetic, and more confused.
- Impaired attention, memory, and confusion correlated with hours worked and sleep duration.
Conclusions:
- Weekend on-call duties negatively affect surgical residents' cognitive performance and mood.
- Findings suggest a need for adjustments in staffing levels and duty roster design.
- Implications for patient safety and physician well-being due to impaired performance.