Reducing the noneducational and nonclinical workload of the surgical resident; defining the role of the health technician.
Curr Surg
; 60(5): 529-32, 2003.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-14972219
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
Recent controversy over excessive resident work hours has prompted surgical educators and program directors to search for more efficient methods to limit the nonclinical and noneducational workload of surgical residents. Health technicians were employed at a large Veteran's Administration Medical Center to allow residents more time for direct patient care in the clinics and wards and in educational activities.METHODS:
In a two-week period, daily data cards were collected from each intern and health technician identifying total hours spent in work, operations, clinics, and conferences. Each intern recorded the number and type of tasks performed and those tasks assigned to the health technician. The number and type of task performed were tabulated and averaged for each health technician and physician.RESULTS:
Each intern (n = 3) and health technician (n = 8) completed 100% of the required data forms. In a control survey, each intern worked a mean of 16.9 hours per weekday and 5.0 hours per weekend day. With the addition of the health technicians, interns worked 12.9 hours per weekday and 6.8 hours per weekend day (when the health technicians were not present). Following the addition of the health technicians, resident time in the operating room increased from 3.3 hours per week to 9.8 hours per week. Each health technician aided the intern by performing an average of 20.25 tasks per day.CONCLUSIONS:
This study shows that health technicians can be effective in reducing the overall hours and workload of surgical residents and increasing time spent in the operating room. Consideration should be given to including the health technician as integral members of the health care team in the teaching hospital.
Buscar en Google
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Admisión y Programación de Personal
/
Carga de Trabajo
/
Técnicos Medios en Salud
/
Internado y Residencia
Límite:
Humans
País/Región como asunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Curr Surg
Año:
2003
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos