One Possible Future for Resident Hours: Interns' Perspective on a One-Month Trial of the Institute of Medicine Recommended Duty Hour Limits

Abstract

Abstract Background In December 2008, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released the report of a consensus committee recommending added limits on resident duty hours. Methods Perceptions of interns participating in a 1-month trial implementation of the IOM-recommended duty hour limits in one large pediatric residency program during March 2009 were aggregated. Results Interns experienced benefits from the shift-based schedule, including reduced hours and more nights at home. These were accompanied by shortcomings of the new schedule, most prominently increased intensity during the hours worked, weaknesses in sign-outs and handing off of tasks, and inability to know and “own” all patients on the interns' team. The experiment also changed the role and the level of engagement expected from attending physicians. Conclusions The trial implementation of the IOM-recommended limits highlighted that to adapt to additional reduction in hours, residency education needs a significant culture change, including better sign-outs, improved organization of bedside and didactic education, and attention to the added work intensity of a team-based model with daily admissions. Ultimately this may require an adjustment in residents' workload and different expectations and models of support from attending physicians.