Average schedule now in practice is
ICU Mon-Sun 7a-7p (10 weeks ICU)
OR highly variable, based on call, OR schedule, and position on the list (~30 weeks OR).
Average in fellowship was dependent upon rotation. A one year fellowship contains at least 9 months of ICU, with the remainder electives.
MICU and Neuro time was either 7a-7p or 7a- whenever I felt I could safely leave, and let the other MICU fellow cross-cover (in practice, that meant 3p-5p, but some of the Pulm guys abused the system, and would try to bail right after rounds).
STICU was 7a- when the work was done (3p? 5p?)
CVICU/SICU was 7a-5p or 5p-7a when on call (once per week overnight while in the CVICU).
The rest of the time was electives like ID, Nephro, echo, cardiology echo reading room, research, etc. For research time, I showed up to my office, did some work on a project, and went home before noon. For the medical subs, I left after new consult rounds, or earlier if the new consults weren't really ICU-relevant or really low-yield.
As to malignant programs, my data is probably out of date at this point. When applying, speak to the current fellows to get an idea of work schedule. Ask the PD for a copy of the fellow work schedule for a given month. I remember for one well-known program, based on the schedule, the even if the fellows high fived and instantly transferred signout information, they would still regularly violate work hours. Another big name still did q3 24hr call. Know that schedule may change between when you match and when you get there. I've known places where a fellow dropped before coming, and the others just had to pick up the slack, or where the program restructured and radically changed the format between match day and arrival. Go where you think you'll have the best fit with the faculty and the offered programs, and you'll probably be ok.
and are you still doing ICU or just anesthesia?
