Sleep Deprivation: A Problem Among Doctors

Sleep deprivation is one of the serious issues that affects practicing physicians. A step to establish standards for maximum work and minimum uninterrupted sleep to ensure patient safety is needed, states an editorial in Canadian Medical Association Journal.

A recent study indicated that lack of sleep can result in higher rates of surgical complications if a surgeon had less than six hours of sleep the preceding night. Doctors practising post-call may not be at optimal levels as fatigue can effect mental acuity.

About Sleep Disorder
Sleep disorders can either be having difficulty in getting sleep or dozing off at inappropriate time.

"The problem may only be getting worse," write CMAJ editors Drs. Noni MacDonald, Paul H'bert, Ken Flegel and Matthew Stanbrook. "Medical care today is more complex than in decades past.Increasing complexity of care at the bedside or in the operating theatre places unprecedented cognitive and physical demands on doctors who oversee and deliver care in these environments."

However, there are barriers to limiting physicians' work hours, including increased costs and the need to increase the number of doctors and residents in the system. As well, ensuring that physicians comply with restrictions on work hours may be a challenge.

"We doctors ourselves are part of this problem," write the authors. "We need to shift our professional culture. Long periods on call should not be accepted as routine or a source of pride."

Quiz on Sleep Disorder
The comfort of modern life comes at the cost of restful sleep! "Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone-Anthony Burgess" Scientifically it is proven that a good night's sleep is imperative for maintaining a balance between the physical, emotional and behavioral well-being of a person.

They suggest that "licensing, accreditation, insurance and government institutions need to establish minimum best practice standards for maximum work and minimum uninterrupted sleep hours."

Source-Eurekalert

Epworth Sleepiness Scale
Measure your daytime sleepiness using this simple interactive tool, based on Epworth Sleepiness disorder Scale. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness is a type of hypersomnia characterized by persistent sleepiness and lack of energy.

Sleeping Disorders
How many times have you stayed awake in the dead of the night counting sheep? If it is fairly often then you could be suffering from a sleep disorder!