Journal recommends standards to prevent fatigued doctors

Tuesday, 24 May 2011 16:00

News - Employee Wellness

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The Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) recently published an editorial stating that workplace fatigue in doctors is a preventable problem that must be addressed.

Doctors often work long shifts, and are many times proud to do so. Unfortunately, it also tends to leave them sleep-deprived and vulnerable to making mistakes in their ever-important professions.

"The problem may only be getting worse," wrote CMAJ editors. "Medical care today is more complex than in decades past. Increasing complexity of care at the bedside or in the operating theatre places unprecedented cognitive and physical demands on doctors who oversee and deliver care in these environments."

They said that it's a cultural problem within hospitals, in that routine extended shifts have become a source of pride. The CMAJ said that institutions - like the government, insurance agencies and licensing and accreditation boards - should impose standards for scheduling practices and determine the minimum number of uninterrupted hours of sleep that a healthcare provider should get before reporting to work.

Moreover, sleep-deprivation is both a cause and a result of stress. Employee wellness programs that address stress management could be helpful in keeping medical professionals alert.