Surgical Residency Study

[Cinderella]

If you're the significant other of a surgical resident hang in there. A new study was released that may tell us all on iMSN something you may already know.

Surgical residents are often fatigued according to Harvard researchers. The study found that surgery residents average five hours of sleep a day. Residents were also functioning at less than 80 percent mental effectiveness about half the time they were awake. The study cites that fatigue is a big issue because there's growing evidence that it contributes to medical errors.

This study made the health related headlines in the national news today.

[corn poffi]

Hahahahahahaha what a news flash.

[Cinderella]

I know right? lol

For me if I'm consistantly that tired I'll get depression.

[Mrs. MD, Esq.]

I had no idea! ::rolls eyes::

[L.Jane]

and this is news? More like old news. J swears all he needs is 5 hours a night... Yeah... Uh huh cranky ass grouch.

[lovelight]

and this is news? More like old news. J swears all he needs is 5 hours a night... Yeah... Uh huh cranky ass grouch.

My husband too! And that's why you fall asleep anytime you're sitting down for longer than 20 seconds...?

[ladymoreta]

That's okay, I'm sure the surgeon who's operating on you or your loved one is an exception, or all his or her training has prepared them to work flawlessly anyway. *rolleyes*

[Pollyanna]

There a huge waste of research money. I imagine it's a study done to point to the reason there needs to be more work hour restrictions for residents. There of course will be no follow-up on how those restrictions effect training and ability to practice when they are attending physicians with no work hour restrictions. Maybe they should look at attending surgeons and their work hours?

[MarissaNicole]

DH claims there is some study that certain sleep deprived specialties are able to perform higher/better at darts when on less sleep than other specialties that may typically get more sleep. His point is that people who go into ob-gyn or surgery typically need less sleep OR they adjust/adapt to less sleep. When you're a chief or attending there is no post-call. If you're up all night operating you still have scheduled surgeries or clinic the next day.

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[GreyhoundsRUs]

and this is news? More like old news. J swears all he needs is 5 hours a night... Yeah... Uh huh cranky ass grouch.

seriously!

[Chrisada]

The only good thing about DH being on nights this month is he actually gets some sleep. He was literally doing surgery all night and trust me when I say he'll be sleeping all day. But yeah, he typically survives on 5 hours or less of sleep. And he's a total asshole of a grouch in the morning as everyone knows.

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Oh joy. Can't wait for surgery residency to begin!

[ladymoreta]

Maybe they should look at attending surgeons and their work hours?

I believe so. I truly believe any doctor - resident or attending - who is working on inadequate sleep is putting patients in danger.

I think they should eliminate undergrad requirements, let people go straight into medical school (which may need to be extended one or two semesters or offer summer classes), and extend residency for those who wouldn't get enough experience under safe work hour restrictions. The total number of years in school wouldn't change much, but they would have more experience doing their specialty.

[HouseofWool]

I believe so. I truly believe any doctor - resident or attending - who is working on inadequate sleep is putting patients in danger.

I think they should eliminate undergrad requirements, let people go straight into medical school (which may need to be extended one or two semesters or offer summer classes), and extend residency for those who wouldn't get enough experience under safe work hour restrictions. The total number of years in school wouldn't change much, but they would have more experience doing their specialty.

I'm not sure that eliminating the undergrad requirement is a good thing. I think that a little more life experience is necessary before starting med school. On the other hand, an early admission process where 3 years of undergrad with the appropriate core requirements could be a feasible alternative. This could probably be done without increasing the length of medical school, but allowing for an addl year of residency where necessary.

[Pollyanna]

Yes to what Kris said. Life experience is HUGE and asking an 18 or 19 year old to commit to a career in medicine when they can't even commit to a major would be a recipe for disaster (and not helpful at all for the patients).

Plus, you cannot create an artificial experience for residents with excessive work hour restrictions. They have to be able to work like physicians in the community do and I am not at all insterested in a "punch the clock" mentality from my doctor.