BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The level of performance in junior and senior anaesthetists was investigated after 24-h shift working and on-call duties. METHODS: Pre- and post-duty psychomotor function, influence on response time, cognitive function and well-being in 23 individuals (13 junior and 12 senior anaesthetists) was assessed before and after 24-h in-house on-call duty. Subjective perception of tiredness and concentration abilities was estimated by applying a visual analogue scale. RESULTS: The self-assessed tiredness prior to duty was high in both age groups and significantly increased in senior anaesthetists after night duty (P = 0.01). Post-duty impairment of concentration abilities was reported in both groups. Comparing results from pre- and post-duty psychometric testing showed a comparable decline in junior and senior anaesthetists as well. Assessment of burnout showed a significant lack of personal accomplishment in junior anaesthetists as compared to their older colleagues (P = 0.038). Senior anaesthetists judged their contribution to patient well-being significantly higher than did their younger colleagues (P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Although tiredness and subjective impairment of concentration abilities was high in senior anaesthetists after 24-h in-house on-call duty, performance assessed by psychometric testing does not support the hypothesis that senior colleague's performance cannot keep up with routine hospital shift work.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The level of performance in junior and senior anaesthetists was investigated after 24-h shift working and on-call duties. METHODS: Pre- and post-duty psychomotor function, influence on response time, cognitive function and well-being in 23 individuals (13 junior and 12 senior anaesthetists) was assessed before and after 24-h in-house on-call duty. Subjective perception of tiredness and concentration abilities was estimated by applying a visual analogue scale. RESULTS: The self-assessed tiredness prior to duty was high in both age groups and significantly increased in senior anaesthetists after night duty (P = 0.01). Post-duty impairment of concentration abilities was reported in both groups. Comparing results from pre- and post-duty psychometric testing showed a comparable decline in junior and senior anaesthetists as well. Assessment of burnout showed a significant lack of personal accomplishment in junior anaesthetists as compared to their older colleagues (P = 0.038). Senior anaesthetists judged their contribution to patient well-being significantly higher than did their younger colleagues (P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Although tiredness and subjective impairment of concentration abilities was high in senior anaesthetists after 24-h in-house on-call duty, performance assessed by psychometric testing does not support the hypothesis that senior colleague's performance cannot keep up with routine hospital shift work.
Authors: Claire C Venker; James L Goodwin; Denise J Roe; Kristine L Kaemingk; Shelagh Mulvaney; Stuart F Quan Journal: Sleep Breath Date: 2007-12 Impact factor: 2.816
Authors: Veruscka Leso; Luca Fontana; Angela Caturano; Ilaria Vetrani; Mauro Fedele; Ivo Iavicoli Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-06-17 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Michelle Gates; Aireen Wingert; Robin Featherstone; Charles Samuels; Christopher Simon; Michele P Dyson Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2018-09-21 Impact factor: 2.692