title: Understanding time use, stress and recovery practices among early career physicians: an exploratory study.
abstract: Early career physicians (ECPs) work an average of 80 h per week, and at times may approach 24 continuous hours working. These hours, combined with a stressful work environment, and an inability to physically and psychologically detach from work make ECPs likely to experience burnout and other negative health-related consequences. This study provides insight into the stress and recovery challenges faced by ECPs in a typical hospital environment. Rich qualitative and quantitative data were gathered from participants regarding daily time usage, and recovery practices and needs. ECPs report longer working hours, less leisure time and shorter amounts of sleep than average working adults. ECPs do not participate in many resource-replenishing activities while at work, and when out of work, they tend to participate in more passive than active forms of recovery. Resource-draining activities were identified as requiring much of ECP's nonwork time, further limiting recovery. The prevention of burnout and other negative health consequences among ECPs requires the building of a workplace and educational culture that supports regular resource replenishment. This includes the need for a curriculum of medical education that teaches ECPs to identify the signs of stress and recovery needs, and how to effectively address these needs.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Behavioral Science and Community Health , University of Florida , 1225 Center Drive, P.O. Box 100175 HSC, Gainesville 32610 , FL , USA.|b Department of Psychology , University of Tennessee at Chattanooga , Chattanooga , TN , USA.
authors.forename: Nicole M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Cranley
authors.affiliation: b Department of Psychology , University of Tennessee at Chattanooga , Chattanooga , TN , USA.|c Department of Internal Medicine , University of Tennessee College of Medicine-Chattanooga , Chattanooga , TN , USA.
authors.forename: Christopher J L
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.affiliation: c Department of Internal Medicine , University of Tennessee College of Medicine-Chattanooga , Chattanooga , TN , USA.
authors.forename: Mukta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Panda
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012890:Sleep; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors; D017748:Time Management; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance / Q000523:psychology; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology
keywords: burnout; medical residents; physician wellness; stress; time use