ACGME work restrictions

[drake19]

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quick question
for ACGME it says that you have to take 1 day off in 7.
Does this mean you need to take 24 hours off every 7 days?

 

[Mass Effect]

It says one day off in seven AVERAGED over 4 weeks. That means that technically, they could make you work three weeks straight, then give you 4 consecutive days off. That would be in violation of the spirit of the rule, but not a violation of the rule, unfortunately. Overhaul of medical education is deeply needed.

 

[Raryn]

quick question
for ACGME it says that you have to take 1 day off in 7.
Does this mean you need to take 24 hours off every 7 days?

Two things - depending on the specialty, it's either a strict one day off per 7 or one day off per 7 averaged over 4 weeks. Very few are the former.

The second is that a day off is defined as 24 hours out of the hospital, not a calendar day. You could get off a night shift at 7am and come back 7am the following day and that counts. (Affectionately called a "day off my ass")

 

[atomi]

It says one day off in seven AVERAGED over 4 weeks. That means that technically, they could make you work three weeks straight, then give you 4 consecutive days off. That would be in violation of the spirit of the rule, but not a violation of the rule, unfortunately. Overhaul of medical education is deeply needed.

Not just technically. It actually happens. Commonly in malignant surgical programs. They will make you work 21 days in a row then count a weekend with a holiday or count your scheduled vacations as your days off to meet work hours. Rinse and repeat. Seens it withs my own eyeses.