Sleep Deprivation and Fatigue in Residency Training: Results of a National Survey of First- and Second-Year Residents

Abstract

Reduced sleep hours were significantly related to a number of work-related, learning, and personal health variables. Capping residents' work hours is unlikely to fully address the sleep deficits and resulting impairments reported by residents.

Associations of Excessive Sleepiness on Duty with Sleeping Hours and Number of Days of Overnight Work among Medical Residents in Japan

“…Sleep deprivation could be a cause of sleepiness and fatigue, which are common complaints among medical residents 6) . The chronic restriction of sleep to less than 6 h per night could be a cause of cognitive performance impairment and could result in medical errors 7,8) .…”

How Residents Say They Learn: A National, Multi-Specialty Survey of First- and Second-Year Residents

“…The sample included both USMGs and IMGs, and respondents' demographic profile paralleled national distributions. 14,18 The questionnaire focused on the broad residency experience, including work hours, sleep, supervision, stress, learning, behavioral change, and impairment, as well as on reported incidents of belittlement/humiliation and sexual and racial harassment or discrimination. The final instrument consisted of 44 items.…”

“…9 However, faculty and residents' perceptions sometimes differ about what constitutes effective learning activities. [10][11][12] Stress, fatigue, sleep deprivation, and ''burnout'' have been found to impair learning and performance, 13,14 and only about half of residents attend didactic teaching conferences, with fewer still reporting they remain alert throughout. 15,16 Our own previous 1989 national, multi-specialty survey found that, although quantity and quality of time with attending physicians was most valued by residents, they also ranked ''other residents'' and ''special patients'' as additional important sources of learning.…”

Real-Time Occupational Stress and Fatigue Measurement in Medical Imaging Practice

“…The effects of sleep deprivation in medical practice have been well described among medical trainees with sleep deprivation reported to negatively impact medical care delivery by adversely affecting neurobehavioral and workrelated tasks, mood and affect, learning, commission of medical errors, and the health and overall well-being of providers [7,8]. Another provider group of particular relevance in medical imaging is teleradiology providers, who frequently work during night time hours, and are therefore prone to sleep deprivation through disruption of normal circadian rhythms [9].…”