Prevention and treatment of sleep deprivation among emergency physicians.
Emergency physicians commonly experience sleep deprivation because of the need to work shifts during evening and late night hours. The negative effects of this problem are compounded by job stress and traditional methods of scheduling work shifts. Sleep deprivation may be reduced by schedules designed to lessen interference with normal sleep patterns and circadian rhythms. Pharmacological treatments for sleep deprivation exist in the form of alertness-enhancing agents, caffeine and modafinil. Sleep-promoting agents may also help treat the problem by helping physicians to sleep during daytime hours. Minimizing sleep deprivation may help prevent job burnout and prolong the length of an emergency physician's career.
Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. doug.nelson@hsc.utah.edu
Douglas
D
Nelson
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D008550:Melatonin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011725:Pyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D000077334:Zolpidem
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D011725:Pyridines; D000077334:Zolpidem; D008550:Melatonin