The effect of the night float rotation on annual in-training examination performance.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether night-float rotation affected resident performance on the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) in-service examination.


METHODS
Review of annual CREOG in-service examination scores standardized for postgraduate year level (2001-2009) compared scores for residents on night float rotation at time of examination to those on non-night float rotation. Data were analyzed by linear mixed effects model.


RESULTS
Data were obtained for 72 residents, 20 of whom were on night float at time of at least one examination. One to four test scores were available for each resident (total 225 test scores). Average test score was 213 (SD = 20). The mean score for residents on night float was 214 (95% CI 207-221); the mean score for those on non-night float rotations was 212 (95% CI 208-216, p = 0.53). Sample size was sufficient to detect a difference of 12 points with 80% power.


CONCLUSIONS
Although night float rotations necessitate a complete reversal in sleep schedules, we found that night float service did not significantly affect scores On the annual in-service examination. To our knowledge, no studies have evaluated the impact of this schedule on test-taking ability.
Driggers
Rita W
RW
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. rita.w.driggers@medstar.net
Chason
Rebecca J
RJ
Olsen
Cara
C
Zahn
Christopher M
CM
D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D009551:Night Care; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D014481:United States