Resident Duty Hours and Medical Education Policy — Raising the Evidence Bar
The authors write a provocative response to the recent ACGME revisions to duty hours which extend the work hour limitation for first-year residents from 16 to 24hours. The authors also summarize data in favor of and against duty hour restrictions and emphasize the importance of relying on science when making education policy decisions.
Important paper . First time since the 80’s that scientific evidence document that continuity of care and avoiding the hand-offs associated errors are at least as important as minimizing residents’ fatigue!