Benefits of Resident Work Hours Regulation

The new regulations for resident work hours are part of a long evolutionary process of change in medical education, representing the most dramatic innovation in recent history to calibrate the work hours for residents.

Abstract

The new regulations for resident work hours are part ofa long evolutionary process of change in medical edu-cation, representing the most dramatic innovation in re-cent history to calibrate the work hours for residents. Im-plementing the requirements has not been easy. Most institutions and departments have experienced serious challenges (1–3). Moreover, many educators are concerned that by focusing on a maximum number of work hours and a “deadline ” for leaving the hospital, the regulations threaten both the educational process and the meaning of professional responsibility. Despite these current challenges, we highlight several positive effects of the new regulations. This is not to say that our own initial experience has been universally posi-tive. We have, like others, been challenged to ensure con-tinuity and quality of patient care, protect valued educa-