title: A survey of subjective sleepiness and consequences in attending physicians.
abstract: This article surveyed attending physicians on their work hours, sleep schedule, daytime sleepiness, and the perceived relation of these factors to patient safety, quality of care, and personal well-being. Physicians answered demographic and workload questions and attitudinal questions regarding work-hour limitations; the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was used to measure subjective sleepiness, and an 18-item Impact Questionnaire was also used. Of 180 participants, 41 (23%) attending physicians manifested abnormal ESS scores (11 or greater). Private practice- and surgically-based subspecialties had higher ESS scores. Reduced sleep, but not hours worked, was associated with increased sleepiness. Sleepy physicians were more likely to associate sleep loss with medical errors and driving impairment. Sleepiness may be attenuated by education regarding consequences of insufficient sleep and institution of effective countermeasures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 825 Fairfax Ave., Suite 410, Norfolk, VA 23507, USA. chenia@evms.edu
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vorona
authors.forename: Ritche
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: J Catesby
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ware
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019300:Medical Errors; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008511:Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010815:Physician Impairment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011331:Private Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D013038:Specialization; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014768:Virginia; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance / Q000523:psychology; D016526:Workload / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*