Attendings Have Better Quality of Life with a Few Days Off

Patient outcomes did not suffer with an intermittent coverage model.

The recent movement to limit work hours for house staff and to promote work–life balance for trainees largely has bypassed attending physicians. Yet, they face increasing risk for burnout as demand for their services rises. In this U.S. cluster-randomized study, investigators examined whether attendings had a better quality of life with an intermittent coverage model that allowed weekend cross-coverage. The study involved five academic intensive care units (ICUs), all of which operated with half-month ICU attending rotations; for 9 months, half-month coverage schedules consisted of either 14 days of continuous coverage or weekends off.

Of the 39 attendings (87%) who completed surveys, one third worked in both models. The intermittent coverag…

Reviewing Author

Patricia Kritek, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsATS Scholar

Patricia Kritek, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsATS Scholar