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Document ID (ISN)109303
CIS number 09-465
ISSN - Serial title 1351-0711 - Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Year 2007
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Gander P., Purnell H., Garden A., Woodward A.
Title Work patterns and fatigue-related risk among junior doctors
Bibliographic information Nov. 2007, Vol.64, No.11, p.733-738. Illus. 34 ref.
Abstract To evaluate the work patterns of New Zealand junior hospital interns, relationships between different aspects of work and fatigue-related outcomes were examined. A questionnaire dealing with demographics, work patterns, sleepiness, fatigue-related clinical errors, and support for coping with work demands was mailed to junior interns. The response rate was 63% (1366 questionnaires from interns working ≥40 hours a week). On fatigue measures, 30% of participants scored as excessively sleepy, 24% reported falling asleep driving home since becoming a doctor, 66% had felt close to falling asleep at the wheel in the past 12 months, and 42% recalled a fatigue-related clinical error in the past 6 months. Night work and schedule instability were independently associated with more fatigue measures than was total hours worked. Regular access to adequate supervision and support at work reduced the risk of fatigue.
Descriptors (primary) fatigue; risk factors; hospitals; work time schedules
Descriptors (secondary) New Zealand; questionnaire survey; hazard evaluation; sleep deprivation
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceNew Zealand
Subject(s) Occupational physiology
Commerce, services, offices
Broad subject area(s) Physiology, ergonomics
Browse category(ies) Fatigue
Health care services
Hours of work