title: Impact of the European Working Time Directive on the training of paediatric anaesthetists.
abstract: The European Working Time Directive and the New Deal have decreased the number of hours worked by anaesthetic trainees. We implemented the Working Time Directive in May 2004 and evaluated the effect of its implementation on training. During two 6-month periods, one before and one after the change, we determined the number of operating lists undertaken by each Specialist Registrar in Anaesthesia. After implementation of the Working Time Directive, the mean number of lists performed by Specialist Registrars decreased from 24 to 21 lists per registrar per month, a 13% decrease. Exposure to subspecialty lists was the same in both periods, but this was at the expense of general lists and those in remote locations. We conclude that the Working Time Directive has had a measurable impact on the training of paediatric anaesthetists, but that the significance of this change for clinical practice has not yet been measured.
authors.affiliation: Great Ormond Street Hoslital for Children, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000193:education*; D002648:Child; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005062:European Union; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012189:Retrospective Studies