Impact of sleep deprivation in resident physicians analysed

Introduction: In the medical profession it has been installed without discussion the extended work schedule by means of the shifts. Among physicians-in-training or residents time requirements often reach extreme dimensions. This paper presents first a review of scientific literature on the harmful health effects caused by sleep deprivation in general and in health personnel. Then, it details the legal framework governing the workload of residents in the U. S., Europe and the Province of Buenos Aires. Finally, we present the results of a study conducted in our residency, where we analyze the likelihood of falling asleep among those who were on duty the day before and those who were not. The aim was to assess whether the condition of having been on duty predisposes to loose consciousness during this activity. Methods: A self-administered survey assessed the performance of 23 medical residents in 22 classes. Results: We obtained data from 271 residents/class and subjected to statistical analysis. During the first class 44% of the residents fell asleep, compared with 15% in the second. The condition post-on-duty significantly increased the likelihood of falling asleep in class. The tendency to fall asleep was associated more strongly with the interest in the class than with the post-on-duty state. Conclusion: There is vast evidence of the deleterious effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance, practical skills, personal wellness and health. The results of our study are consistent with these findings.