TY - JOUR
T1 - Cognitive performance and mood after a weekend on call in a surgical unit
AU - Wesnes, K. A.
AU - Walker, M. B.
AU - Walker, L. G.
AU - Heys, S. D.
AU - White, L.
AU - Warren, R.
AU - Eremin, O.
PY - 1997/1/1
Y1 - 1997/1/1
N2 - Background. Considerable interest and concern have been expressed about junior doctors' hours. This study was carried out to evaluate the emotional and cognitive effects of a weekend on call in a surgical ward. Methods. Ten surgical house officers were assessed, in counterbalanced design, on four Monday mornings, twice after a weekend off duty and twice after a weekend on call. Cognitive functioning was assessed using the Cognitive Drug Research computerized cognitive assessment system, and emotional state was evaluated by means of the Aberdeen Mood Rating Scale. Results. Following a weekend on call, significant impairment in concentration, speed and power was observed, and the doctors felt less confident, less energetic and more confused. Impaired attention, working memory, long-term memory and confusion were most closely correlated with number of hours worked on Sunday, and tiredness and confusion were related to number of hours slept. Conclusion. A weekend on call has significant deleterious effects on cognitive performance and mood. The findings have implications for staffing levels and the design of duty rosters.
AB - Background. Considerable interest and concern have been expressed about junior doctors' hours. This study was carried out to evaluate the emotional and cognitive effects of a weekend on call in a surgical ward. Methods. Ten surgical house officers were assessed, in counterbalanced design, on four Monday mornings, twice after a weekend off duty and twice after a weekend on call. Cognitive functioning was assessed using the Cognitive Drug Research computerized cognitive assessment system, and emotional state was evaluated by means of the Aberdeen Mood Rating Scale. Results. Following a weekend on call, significant impairment in concentration, speed and power was observed, and the doctors felt less confident, less energetic and more confused. Impaired attention, working memory, long-term memory and confusion were most closely correlated with number of hours worked on Sunday, and tiredness and confusion were related to number of hours slept. Conclusion. A weekend on call has significant deleterious effects on cognitive performance and mood. The findings have implications for staffing levels and the design of duty rosters.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0030898422&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 9112899
AN - SCOPUS:0030898422
SN - 0007-1323
VL - 84
SP - 493
EP - 495
JO - British Journal of Surgery
JF - British Journal of Surgery
IS - 4
ER -