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| Research article summary (published 30 May 2003): |
Introduction of night shift call system for surgical trainees: a prospective self-controlled trial.
Full Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
The number of hours worked by specialty trainees has come under scrutiny recently. One approach aimed at decreasing the number of consecutive hours worked is the night shift call system (NSCS). This study aimed to determine the advantages and disadvantages of an NSCS compared with those of the conventional overnight call system (ONCS).
SUBJECTS AND METHODS:
Sixteen basic surgical trainees (BSTs) from our unit participated in this prospective, self-controlled trial. During April 2000, the conventional 1-in-4 ONCS with a post-call half-day off was instituted. From May to June 2000, each BST rotated to work 1 week of night duty (20.00-08.00) and 7 weeks of daytime duty. A battery of neuropsychological tests were administered to the group after call during the study period.
RESULTS:
On average the numbers of consecutive hours worked during the NSCS and ONCS periods were 12 and 28 hours, respectively. There was no difference in numbers of errors committed and no difference in discrepancy between diagnoses made on admission and discharge. Two of the simple neuropsychological tests (memory scanning and addition tests) showed a significant fall-off in performance during the ONCS period (P < 0.05). Most specialists preferred the ONCS, while the majority of the BSTs preferred the NSCS (P < 0.05). This was because without extra manpower, the overall workloads of senior staff were increased.
CONCLUSIONS:
The NSCS is 1 way of reducing work hours, and was associated with significantly less impaired cognition on the part of our BSTs. It is only feasible if extra relieving staff are available to cover daytime duties.
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Author information
Author/s: Lee, Daniel Tai Yam (DT); Chan, Sharon Wing Wai (SW); Kwok, Samuel Po Yin (SP);
Affiliation: Department of Surgery, United Christian Hospital, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong. danieltylee(-atsign-)hotmail.com
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Journal Article
Journal: Medical education (Med Educ), published in England. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2003-Jun; vol 37 (issue 6) : pp 495-9
Dates: Created 2003/06/05; Completed 2003/07/09; Revised 2004/11/17;
PMID: 12787371, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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