The Royal College of Physicians specialist registrar shift survey.
A survey of all medical specialist registrars in the UK reveals that a large majority oppose shift working patterns because of their adverse impact on training and quality of life, and on continuity and quality of patient care. This conflicts with the current drive to switch virtually all trainees to shifts by 2004, to comply with the European Union Working Time Directive. More debate is urgently needed.
Ealing Hospital, Middlesex UB1 3HW.
Hugh M
HM
Mather
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D008511:Medicine; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D010820:Physicians / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D013038:Specialization; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance; D016526:Workload