Paediatric experiences with work-hour limitations

• Published in: Journal of evaluation in clinical practice 2009-02, Vol.15 (1), p.116-120
• Main Authors: Fortuna, Robert J., Palfrey, Judith S., Shelov, Steven P., Samuels, Ronald C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ACGME; duty-hours; Health Care Surveys; Humans; Internship and Residency - organization & administration; paediatric; Pediatrics; residency; Work Schedule Tolerance; work-hours
• ISSN: 1356-1294; 1365-2753
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2753.2008.00964.x

Objectives  To evaluate the perceived impact of work‐hour limitations on paediatric residency training programmes and to determine the various strategies used to accommodate these restrictions. Methods  A three‐page pre‐tested survey was administered to programme directors at the 2004 Association of Paediatric Programme Directors meeting. The impact of work‐hours was evaluated with Likert‐type questions and the methods used to meet work‐hour requirements were compared between large programmes (≥30 residents) and small programmes. Results  Surveys were received from 53 programme directors. The majority responded that work‐hour limitations negatively impacted inpatient continuity, time for education, schedule flexibility and attending staff satisfaction. Supervision by attending staff was the only aspect to significantly improve. Perceived resident satisfaction was neutral. To accommodate work‐hour limitations, 64% of programmes increased clinical responsibility to existing non‐resident staff, 36% hired more non‐resident staff and 17% increased the number of residents. Only one programme hired additional non‐clinical staff. Large programmes were more likely to use more total methods on the inpatient wards (P