Advantages and Disadvantages of Rapidly Rotating Shift Schedules—A Circadian Viewpoint

Abstract

This report uses some previously published data to explore the benefits and drawbacks associated with rapid shift rotations of less than five days, comparing them with slowly rotating and with fixed shift systems. The discussion is limited to circadian (“biological clock”) issues, and concludes that one must look at the whole situation (including job type) before coming to a decision, and that no option should be ruled out on a priori grounds.