Studies find work-hour restrictions aren’t good for residents

New data suggest Canada’s future surgeons and their patients may actually be better off without work-hour restrictions. A Canadian-led international study consolidated the results of 135 prior studies examining the impact of work-hour restrictions on medical residents in the U.S. and Quebec. The study, which was published in the Annals of Surgery, showed surgical trainees facing mandatory limits on their work-hours had lower scores on their licensing exams. Another recent report, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, also suggests that work-hour restrictions aren’t good for residents and patients. The authors cited more frequent patient handovers among physicians changing shifts as a major cause of medical errors. Shorter shifts also meant residents ended up working more shifts per week and didn’t have as much time to sleep.

Source: CBC