Effect of residency duty-hour limits: views of key clinical faculty.
BACKGROUND
To determine the effect of duty-hour limitations, it is important to consider the views of faculty who have the most contact with residents.


METHODS
We conducted a national survey of key clinical faculty (KCF) at 39 internal medicine residency programs affiliated with US medical schools selected by random sample stratified by federal research funding and program size to elicit their views on the effect of duty-hour limitations on residents' patient care, education, professionalism, and well-being and on faculty workload and satisfaction.


RESULTS
Of 154 KCF surveyed, 111 (72%) responded. The KCF reported worsening in residents' continuity of care (87%) and the physician-patient relationship (75%). Faculty believed that residents' education (66%) and professionalism, including accountability to patients (73%) and ability to place patient needs above self-interests (57%), worsened, yet 50% thought residents' well-being improved. The KCF reported spending more time providing inpatient services (47%). Faculty noted decreased satisfaction with teaching (56%), ability to develop relationships with residents (40%), and overall career satisfaction (31%). In multivariate analysis, KCF with 5 years of teaching experience or more were more likely to perceive a negative effect of duty hours on residents' education (odds ratio, 2.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-7.00).


CONCLUSIONS
Key clinical faculty believe that duty-hour limitations have adversely affected important aspects of residents' patient care, education, and professionalism, as well as faculty workload and satisfaction. Residency programs should continue to look for ways to optimize experiences for residents and faculty within the confines of the duty-hour requirements.
Reed
Darcy A
DA
Division of Primary Care Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. reed.darcy@mayo.edu
Levine
Rachel B
RB
Miller
Redonda G
RG
Ashar
Bimal H
BH
Bass
Eric B
EB
Rice
Tasha N
TN
Cofrancesco
Joseph
J
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D014481:United States; D016526:Workload / Q000592:standards*