What (if anything) is wrong with residency overwork?
Article Abstract:
The possibility of compromised compassionate patient care may be the most compelling argument for reforming the practice of requiring long work hours for residents. Current guidelines for physicians-in-training stipulate that they can only work an average of 80 hours per week, have at least one day off per week, and be on call no more than every third night. Researchers addressed the common arguments for reforming resident work requirements and offered an alternative argument. Fatigue may foster the development of unprofessional attitudes, such as resentment and anger, and result in less than compassionate patient care. Evidence suggests that long work hours do not, however, adversely affect patient or resident safety. While residents' salaries are low, the residents typically cost teaching hospitals 33% more than staff physicians due to more procedures and tests ordered leading to longer hospital stays. One study found that most residency programs do adhere to the current guidelines.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Residency overwork and changing paradigms of service
Article Abstract:
Changes in residency programs may be forthcoming as teaching hospitals respond to the trend towards more cost-containment and efficiency. These changes may include a more equitable redistribution of duties among nursing staff, attending physicians, and support staff. Developing and adhering to consistent procedural guidelines with more direct interaction and supervision among the hospital staff and residents may lead to a more productive educational experience for the residents. This change may not only improve hospital efficiency and quality but also relieve overworked residents. Another proposed change is to place residents in long-term integrated care teams whose patient responsibilities extend over time. This strategy may better educate residents in more aspects of patient management. Including residents in the development of these strategies will lead to greater success in their implementation.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
What's wrong with this medical student today? Dysfluency on inpatient rounds
Article Abstract:
Medical faculty members should pay close attention to dysfluency among medical students. Dysfluency occurs when a normally fluent student begins to stammer and pause when speaking. Tapes of medical students and interns revealed that they displayed dysfluency whenever they were unsure of themselves. This provides valuable clues that the student or intern is struggling or is unable to handle stress.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Diagnostic imaging: getting the inside view. Chronic voice disorders: new diagnostic and surgical procedures show promise
- Abstracts: Inherited and acquired blistering diseases. Inherited deficiency of mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease 2
- Abstracts: Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus type 2. Herpes simplex virus and Bell palsy
- Abstracts: The effect of Leboyer delivery on blood viscosity and other hemorheologic parameters in term neonates. Polymerase chain reaction determination of RhC, Rhc, and RhE blood types: an evaluation of accuracy and clinical utility
- Abstracts: Welfare ranching: The subsidized destruction of the American West. Calcium channel blockers: the real story