title: Effects of partial sleep deprivation on reaction time in anesthesiologists.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fatigue in anesthesiologists may have implications that extend beyond individual well-being.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of sleep deprivation on the reaction time in anesthesiologists either after an overnight call or regular working hours. Moderation of this effect by coping strategies was observed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Psychomotor vigilance test was used to assess reaction time in 23 anesthesiologists at two time-points: (i) on a regular non-call day and (ii) after a 17-h in-house call. Student's paired t-test was used to compare Psychomotor Vigilance Task data at these two moments. Change score regression was performed to determine the association between coping strategies, assessed using the Coping Strategy Indicator instrument, and decline in reaction time after night call.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-one colleagues completed the psychomotor vigilance test measurements after two decided to end their participation for personal reasons. Post-call psychomotor vigilance test mean reaction time decreased by an average of 31.2 ms (95% CI: 0.5, 61.9; P = 0.047) when compared to regular day. Reliance on specific coping mechanisms, indicated by Coping Strategy Indicator scale scores, included problem-solving (28 ± 4), followed by seeking social support (23 ± 5) and avoidance (19 ± 4). The change score regression model (r2= 0.48) found that greater reliance on avoidance was associated with greater increase in reaction time after night call.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reaction time increased considerably in anesthesiologists after a night call duty. Greater subjective reliance on avoidance as a coping strategy was associated with greater deterioration in performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.|Quinnipiac University, Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine, Hamden, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Haleh
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0818-8231
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Saadat
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.|Department of Anesthesiology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.|Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bissonnette
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Dmitry
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tumin
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.|Department of Anesthesiology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Vidya
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Raman
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: N'Diris
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Barry
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.|Department of Anesthesiology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tobias
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D000072080:Anesthesiologists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance / Q000502:physiology
keywords: fatigue; patient's safety; physician wellness; reaction time; sleep deprivation