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Less training time for residents, more errors for patients

Residency Program Insider, April 12, 2013

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One principle behind the ACGME 2011 work hour reductions was that residents would be less fatigued and make fewer errors. But a recent survey of more than 2,300 interns at national hospitals suggests shorter shifts may lead to more errors.

Researchers at the University of Michigan compared interns working before and after work hour restrictions took effect in 2011. About 23% of interns working shorter shifts reported concern about making errors that harmed patients, compared to 19.9% of residents who worked longer shifts.

The study’s authors say residents may make more errors because shorter shifts require them to do the same amount of work in less time and increase the number of patient hand-offs, Time magazine reports.

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