Does Increased Schedule Flexibility Lead to Change? A National Survey of Program Directors on 2017 Work Hours Requirements

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-31-2020

Publication Title

Journal of General Internal Medicine

First page number:

1

Last page number:

5

Abstract

Background: The learning and working environment for resident physicians shifted dramatically over the past two decades, with increased focus on work hours, resident wellness, and patient safety. Following two multi-center randomized trials comparing 16-h work limits for PGY-1 trainees to more flexible rules, the ACGME implemented new flexible work hours standards in 2017. Objective: We sought to determine program directors’ (PDs) support for the work hour changes and programmatic response. Design: In 2017, US Internal Medicine PDs were surveyed about their degree of support for extension of PGY-1 work hour limits, whether they adopted the new maximum continuous work hours permitted, and reasons for their decisions. Key Results: The response rate was 70% (266/379). Fifty-seven percent of PDs (n = 151) somewhat/strongly support the new work hour rules for PGY-1 residents, while only 25% of programs (N = 66) introduced work periods greater than 16-h on any rotation. Higher rates of adopting change were seen in PDs who strongly/somewhat supported the change (56/151 [37%]... (See article for full abstract).

Keywords

Resident work hours; Internal medicine program directors; Resident schedules

Disciplines

Health and Medical Administration | Internal Medicine

Language

English

UNLV article access

Search your library

Share

COinS