Saturday, June 24, 2017
Toledo Blade: People who haven’t slept in 24 hours shouldn’t drive. They’re so tired it’s more dangerous than being drunk. So can it possibly make sense for first-year doctors to be at work that long, taking care of patients?
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has repealed its rule saying first-year residents must not be kept working more than 16 straight hours. That leaves them with the same cap that applies to more advanced trainee doctors: 24 hours, plus four more for handoffs. Another rule limits their average week to 80 hours.
But the council’s new rules also require both residents and faculty members to learn about fatigue and fighting it. The rules require policies to relieve, “without fear of negative consequences,” residents who can’t do their work, including because they’re too tired.
This culture change in medicine can’t just be about first-year residents. Other doctors, including more advanced trainees, also work extremely long shifts. Physicians at every level must be taught to recognize when their patients need them to get more rest.