The 2011 Duty-Hour Requirements — A Survey of Residency Program Directors — NEJM (patient safety)

The 2011 Duty-Hour Requirements — A Survey of Residency Program Directors — NEJM

"....Although program directors supported the 80-hour workweek, the maximum frequency of in-house call, and mandatory off-duty time, they opposed limiting first-year residents to 16-hour shifts.2 Residents expressed greater concern than program directors, fearing potential negative effects on quality of care, as well as resident education, experience, and preparedness for senior roles.....

" More detailed study of the effects of fatigue and work hours on patient outcomes, “near misses,” and medical errors is also warranted. The results of these studies should be considered in future revisions of the Common Program Requirements and in the implementation of the Next Accreditation System."