Perceived sleepiness in Canadian anesthesia residents: a national survey.

PURPOSE

To compare the self-perceived sleepiness of Canadian anesthesia residents providing modified on-call duties (12-16 h) vs. traditional on-call duties (24 h).

METHODS

A 25-item online survey was distributed to all Canadian anesthesia residents who, at that time, were on anesthesia rotations. The survey assessed resident demographics, perceived work patterns, and sleepiness, as well as their opinions on resident work hour reform. Self-perceived sleepiness was quantified using the validated Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS).

RESULTS

Three hundred eight of 400 (77%) eligible Canadian anesthesia residents completed the survey. Forty-three percent of residents who worked traditional on-call (duration 24.1 +/- 0.5 h) shifts and 48% of residents who worked modified on-call (duration 15.5 +/- 1.8 h) shifts met ESS criteria for excessive daytime sleepiness. Overall mean ESS scores did not differ significantly between the traditional (9.1 +/- 4.9) and the modified call groups (9.5 +/- 4.8). Residents with an on-call frequency of >or=1:4 days or those who slept <or=2 h while on call perceived themselves as significantly more sleepy (P = 0.045 and P = 0.008, respectively). Six percent of residents admitted to taking "something other than caffeine" to stay awake on call.

CONCLUSION

Many anesthesia residents do exhibit excessive daytime sleepiness, with a similar incidence for those working within either modified or traditional call systems. Our study suggests that sleepiness may be reduced by scheduling on-call duties no more frequently than one in every five nights and by ensuring that residents sleep more than 2 h while on call.