The 80-hour workweek restriction: How are OB/GYN resident procedure numbers affected?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the surgical caseload in a military obstetrics and gynecology residency program, prior to and after implementation of an 80-hour workweek.


METHODS
A retrospective cohort study evaluating data submitted to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) for cumulative resident procedures in obstetrics and gynecology for the years before (July 2001-June 2002) and after (July 2002-June 2003) 80-hour workweek implementation. Total obstetric and gynecology procedures were examined using both the Student's paired t-test and a two-way mixed factor analysis of variance.


RESULTS
Between July 2001 and June 2002 there were 822 gynecological cases and 3958 deliveries done by 17 OB/GYN residents; these were compared with 827 cases and 3504 deliveries done by 18 OB/GYN residents between July 2002 and June 2003 (p=0.189). The total numbers of obstetric and gynecology cases pre- and post-80-hour workweek intervention were similar when evaluated by month (July through June of 2001/2 vs. 2002/3; p=0.908). There was a significantly greater number of obstetrics cases compared with gynecological cases (p < 0.001) in the pre- vs. post-80-hour workweek groups; the number of gynecological cases remained constant in the post-80-hour workweek group while the obstetric numbers dropped (p=0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The 80-hour workweek restriction resulted in similar total numbers of obstetrics and gynecology cases, although the total number of obstetric cases per resident declined after implementation.
Short
Amy C
AC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA.
Rogers
Stacey J
SJ
Magann
Everett F
EF
Rieg
Thomas S
TS
Shapiro
Alan
A
Morrison
John C
JC
D015331:Cohort Studies; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods*; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education*; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000078329:Workforce; D016526:Workload