Doctors' Working Lives News
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Sunday, September 18, 2005
"If not enough money is available, then it is clear that an error has occurred at the planning stage."
As you may have seen in the newspapers the other day, another study has found that lack of sleep during heavy on call affects juniors similarly to alcohol. Or, to quote the abstract, "Post-call performance impairment during a heavy call rotation is comparable with impairment associated with a 0.04 to 0.05 g% blood alcohol concentration during a light call rotation, as measured by sustained attention, vigilance, and simulated driving tasks. Residents’ ability to judge this impairment may be limited and task-specific."
However, a literature review of the effects of work hours reductions has concluded that previous studies have not been well enough designed to prove a beneficial effect on health, while the effect on education "remains unknown".
Correspondence is continuing to pour into the BMJ on the Weeks of Nights controversy raised in their recent editorial. An SpR argues that we should ditch the EWTD. A consultant asks, as we have so often asked on this website, why doctors should be treated differently from nurses - surely their needs should be addressed too? A registrar explains why he believes nurses are different, while a staff grade argues convincingly for full replanning of the service; I was delighted by his diagnosis that "If not enough money is available, then it is clear that an error has occurred at the planning stage." Whether "the planning stage" refers to the Trust, the SHA, the DOH or the government's taxation policy is not entirely clear. An SHO remarks that nobody else in Europe is bothering to comply - well, not in Brussels anyway. And another two juniors reflect on the difficulty of reconciling EWTD and sensible working.
Incidentally, the original BMJ editorial continues to be taken up by the wider media. The Metro recently stated that "two thirds of doctors are working up to 91 hours a week". Since it makes no reference to average hours or weeks of nights, the inference is a little misleading (in fact, entirely misleading, since technically it implies that the other third are working over 91 hours a week). But it's trying to make a valid point - although average hours have been reduced, the introduction of weeks at nights has in some cases increased working hours in specific weeks.
Meanwhile in the blue corner, for those who want to hear positive benefits of the EWTD extolled, BBC News has a review of Hospital at Night.
Doctors in training
Tips on conducting your own house officer ward round (BMJCF)
Choosing a career in acute medicine (BMJCF)
Diary of a new doctor (BMJCF)
A commentary on the new foundation programme (BMJ)
Teaching on the run - feedback (MJA)
Consultants
Tips on thriving as a new consultant (BMJCF)
Coping as a newly qualified consultant (BMJCF)
Tips on taking a sabbatical from a consultant job (BMJCF)
Discretionary points criteria for staff grades and associate specialists (BMJCF)
And a handy guide - Simon Eccles explains what "trust grade", "staff grade" etc actually mean (BMJCF)
However, a literature review of the effects of work hours reductions has concluded that previous studies have not been well enough designed to prove a beneficial effect on health, while the effect on education "remains unknown".
Correspondence is continuing to pour into the BMJ on the Weeks of Nights controversy raised in their recent editorial. An SpR argues that we should ditch the EWTD. A consultant asks, as we have so often asked on this website, why doctors should be treated differently from nurses - surely their needs should be addressed too? A registrar explains why he believes nurses are different, while a staff grade argues convincingly for full replanning of the service; I was delighted by his diagnosis that "If not enough money is available, then it is clear that an error has occurred at the planning stage." Whether "the planning stage" refers to the Trust, the SHA, the DOH or the government's taxation policy is not entirely clear. An SHO remarks that nobody else in Europe is bothering to comply - well, not in Brussels anyway. And another two juniors reflect on the difficulty of reconciling EWTD and sensible working.
Incidentally, the original BMJ editorial continues to be taken up by the wider media. The Metro recently stated that "two thirds of doctors are working up to 91 hours a week". Since it makes no reference to average hours or weeks of nights, the inference is a little misleading (in fact, entirely misleading, since technically it implies that the other third are working over 91 hours a week). But it's trying to make a valid point - although average hours have been reduced, the introduction of weeks at nights has in some cases increased working hours in specific weeks.
Meanwhile in the blue corner, for those who want to hear positive benefits of the EWTD extolled, BBC News has a review of Hospital at Night.
Doctors in training
Tips on conducting your own house officer ward round (BMJCF)
Choosing a career in acute medicine (BMJCF)
Diary of a new doctor (BMJCF)
A commentary on the new foundation programme (BMJ)
Teaching on the run - feedback (MJA)
Consultants
Tips on thriving as a new consultant (BMJCF)
Coping as a newly qualified consultant (BMJCF)
Tips on taking a sabbatical from a consultant job (BMJCF)
Discretionary points criteria for staff grades and associate specialists (BMJCF)
And a handy guide - Simon Eccles explains what "trust grade", "staff grade" etc actually mean (BMJCF)
This site is maintained by Ellie Pattinson. All rights reserved. This website is maintained independently of the NHS and the views expressed are not necessarily a reflection of the views of that organisation. For any queries, contributions or amendments, please email me on admin@idwl.info.
