New York Regulation of Residents' Working Conditions

Abstract

In October 1987, recommendations to improve working conditions and house staff supervision in New York residency programs were published. In anticipation of implementation of restricted working hours for pediatric residents after July 1989, we reduced working hours for postgraduate level 1 (PL-1) house staff officers from greater than 100 hours weekly to 80 hours weekly in July 1988. After 1 year, residents perceived reduced levels of fatigue and stress but expressed concern that continuity of care was adversely affected. The new schedule was not perceived by residents to increase time for study. Faculty expressed concern for weekend continuity of care. No increase in patient mortality was noted after 1 year's experience. Schedule modifications were made after evaluating the first year's experience. The reduced schedule was accomplished with an increase of two full-time equivalent residents in the first year of training. <h3>BACKGROUND</h3> The postgraduate education of American physicians has become the