Reduction in Surgical Residents Work Hours Did Not Improve Outcomes for Patients or Residents

28 Mar Reduction in Surgical Residents Work Hours Did Not Improve Outcomes for Patients or Residents

Posted at 15:26h in Author Interviews, Outcomes & Safety, Surgical Research by Marie Benz MD FAAD

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Najma Ahmed
Trauma and Acute Care Surgeon, St. Michael’s Hospital
Residency Training Director, General Surgery, University of Toronto

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of this study:

Dr. Ahmed: The main findings if the study were that the recent reduction of resident duty hours to much less than 80 hours decreases health outcomes in patients, has adverse educational outcomes for residents and does not improve wellness in surgery.

MedicalResearch.com: Were any of the findings surprising?

Dr. Ahmed:The findings are expected when one takes into account everything we know about the development of expertise, how complex a machine the human body is and that residency is a defined period of time.

MedicalResearch.com: What should patients and providers take away from this report?

Dr. Ahmed: The take away is that a tired doctor is not an unsafe doctor.

MedicalResearch.com: What future research do you recommend as a result of this study:

Dr. Ahmed: Future research should focus on how to improve resident wellness during residency, and the development of fatigue mitigation strategies within the existing structures of surgical residency.

Citation:

A Systematic Review of the Affects of Resident Duty Hour Restrictions in Surgery

Impact on Resident Wellness, Training, and Patient Outcomes