Work performance and health of junior hospital doctors a review of the literature

Concern has been expressed for a number of years about the long working hours and consequent sleep loss often experienced by junior hospital doctors. In recent months there has been renewed pressure for the demanding work schedules, common in many hospitals, to be changed. Concern centres on two related areas, namely the potential effects on the doctors work performance and the effects on their health. This paper reviews the literature relating to both areas and assesses how far the expressed need for change is supported by existing evidence. In addition attention is drawn to aspects of sleep loss and work performance requiring further investigation.