Minimizing sleep deprivation through scheduling and pharmacological agents may help prevent job burnout and prolong the careers of emergency physicians.
Does not support immediate scheduling changes in emergency medicine; leaves open efficacy pending prospective trials.
Emergency physicians commonly experience sleep deprivation because of the need to work shifts during evening and late night hours. The negative effects of this problem are compounded by job stress and traditional methods of scheduling work shifts. Sleep deprivation may be reduced by schedules designed to lessen interference with normal sleep patterns and circadian rhythms. Pharmacological treatments for sleep deprivation exist in the form of alertness-enhancing agents, caffeine and modafinil. Sleep-promoting agents may also help treat the problem by helping physicians to sleep during daytime hours. Minimizing sleep deprivation may help prevent job burnout and prolong the length of an emergency physician's career.
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Douglas S. Nelson (2007) studied this question.
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