Evaluating the workload of on-call psychiatry residents: which activities are associated with sleep loss?

Objective: The purpose of this study was to review the workload inventory of on-call psychiatry residents and to evaluate which activities were associated with reductions in on-call sleep.

Method: A prospective cohort study was conducted, following 20 psychiatry residents at a 231-bed psychiatry hospital, from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. On-call activities and hours of sleep received were recorded on log sheets.

Results: From the 2008-2009 academic year, 298 on-call log sheets were received (81.64% response rate). The mean hours of sleep per night received by participating residents was 3.52 hours. The mean number of pages received was 17.21 per night. The variance in hours of sleep was explained by the number of pages and the number of admissions.

Conclusion: Given the new standards established by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, residency directors can increase on-call sleep for residents by reducing the number of pages and admissions.