It’s no secret that life as a medical resident is exhausting. Compared to similar caliber professions, residents typically work more than twice as many hours annually. Though it feels counterintuitive to ask doctors to work on less sleep, excessive resident schedules have historically been the norm. However, that may be changing soon.
In 2003, to help improve residents’ work-life balance, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) implemented a strict 80-hour maximum workweek. At the time, it was celebrated as a progressive step forward, but it may have come at a price. Hospital administrators are now questioning whether limiting the number of hours residents can work has decreased their competency over the years. It has been reported that residents are provided with fewer clinical encounters and less complex cases since the cap was enacted, which some believe has put these young doctors at a disadvantage in their efforts to become the most well-rounded physicians possible.
The other side of the coin is still relevant, however. Though the workweek hour cap was implemented to better the work-life balance of residents, it has also served the very important function of protecting patients from exhausted residents who may have compromised motor and cognitive abilities.
Clearly, there are justifiable arguments in favor and against the weekly 80-hour cap for residents. What are your thoughts about the cap? How do you suggest we equip residents to handle complex diagnoses while maintaining a healthy work-life balance?
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