Physicians in the UK pushing for more work hours

[Lucca]

There have been some interesting threads not too long ago about the 80/88 hr work week and how certain regulations have impacted training quality and length in the United States. Residents, students and attendings seem to agree that the enforcement of certain work hour restrictions that increase handoffs and take away prized "Golden Weekends" have had negative effects on physician training and that once you are in residency you will feel as if there isn't enough time to learn everything you need to learn.


Well.... Meanwhile in the UK, physicians are feeling the same way. However, they are currently restricted to 48 hour work weeks (!!!!!! Also note that their specialist training is obviously longer than ours for these reasons) instead of 80/88 and want to opt out of these EU restrictions to have more time on their wards, decrease handoffs etc - essentially the same reasons discussed in the other thread.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-s...ctive-to-get-sufficient-training-9620474.html

I thought it might be an interesting perspective from accross the pond.

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[Pacna]

Even lazy slobs like myself know there is this balance. 40 hours/week just isn't enough time to learn the stuff we have to know under our current system. If there were a fast-track to medical school (right out of high school instead of college, for instance), then I think spending more time in residency traded for lower work hours might be appropriate. Can you imagine if people had to spend 16 years in some of the residencies (currently 8 years, x2 with cut hours)?? F that.

I think this is just another example of how post-secondary education is currently broken (progress stymied in part by near-unlimited subsidies to universities).

I also break out in hives when I think of having to speed out of the house in the morning (I currently take ~2 hours to prepare for the day before leaving), so the crazy hours of residency will necessitate my stockpile of Benadryl to increase.

What are you indicating by "80/88?" I'm familiar with the 80 hour rule, but what is the 88?

Thanks for posting this.

 

[Lucca]

Even lazy slobs like myself know there is this balance. 40 hours/week just isn't enough time to learn the stuff we have to know under our current system. If there were a fast-track to medical school (right out of high school instead of college, for instance), then I think spending more time in residency traded for lower work hours might be appropriate. Can you imagine if people had to spend 16 years in some of the residencies (currently 8 years, x2 with cut hours)?? F that.

I think this is just another example of how post-secondary education is currently broken (progress stymied in part by near-unlimited subsidies to universities).

I also break out in hives when I think of having to speed out of the house in the morning (I currently take ~2 hours to prepare for the day before leaving), so the crazy hours of residency will necessitate my stockpile of Benadryl to increase.

What are you indicating by "80/88?" I'm familiar with the 80 hour rule, but what is the 88?

Thanks for posting this.

I think certain surgical specialties are capped at 88 hours instead of 80, technically.

 

[Holmwood]

Increase work hour limit AND reduce residency/fellowship length? Yes please, mate.

 

[allantois]

Put it into perspective that a UK doctor coming out of medical school is roughly the same age as an American student entering medical school. Plus their cost of medical education is a lot less.

 

[Lucca]

It is still not particularly clear to me how long it takes to become a "consultant" (UK attending) in the UK. The numbers don't seem to be as hard and fast as in the US.

 

[karayaa]

It is still not particularly clear to me how long it takes to become a "consultant" (UK attending) in the UK. The numbers don't seem to be as hard and fast as in the US.

I think it depends on supply and demand for the specialty, since most (all) of the positions are government funded.