title: Incidence of and risk factors for nodding off at scientific sessions.
abstract: We conducted a surreptitious, prospective, cohort study to explore how often physicians nod off during scientific meetings and to examine risk factors for nodding off. After counting the number of heads falling forward during 2 days of lectures, we calculated the incidence density curves for nodding-off episodes per lecture (NOELs) and assessed risk factors using logistic regression analysis. In this article we report our eye-opening results and suggest ways speakers can try to avoid losing their audience.
authors.affiliation: Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rockwood
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Hogan
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Patterson
mesh_terms: D001887:Boredom; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D010820:Physicians; D012890:Sleep; D014925:Wit and Humor as Topic