title: Resident case coverage in the era of the 80-hour workweek.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of our study was to evaluate resident case coverage before and after the implementation of duty-hour restrictions and discuss its potential impact on surgical attendings.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed cases before (6/2002 to 6/2003) and after (6/2008 to 6/2009) the implementation of duty-hour restrictions, retrospectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic-affiliated community surgical residency program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Full-time academic faculty and surgical residents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 5253 cases performed in the year before the 80-hour workweek, 4466 (85%) were covered by residents and 787 (15%) were uncovered. Of the 6123 cases performed after the 80-hour workweek restrictions, 3694 (60%) were covered by residents and 2429 (40%) were uncovered. Despite an increase in operations and faculty, significantly fewer cases were covered by residents when comparing the time-restricted and non-time-restricted periods (85% vs 60%, p < 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The number of surgical cases without resident participation has increased significantly in the 80-hour workweek. Departments should reevaluate faculty expectations relative to time management, compensation, and nonclinical responsibilities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, South East Area Health Education Center, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, North Carolina 28401, USA. William.hope@seahec.net
authors.forename: William W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Hope
authors.forename: Devan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Griner
authors.forename: Deby
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Van Vliet
authors.forename: Rema P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Menon
authors.forename: Cyrus A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Kotwall
authors.forename: Thomas V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Clancy
mesh_terms: D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance; D016526:Workload