NYU Medical School

Orthopaedic Resident Work Hour Restrictions Effect on Resident and Attending Attitudes

The goal of this study is to evaluate the residents' and faculty's perceptions of resident quality of life, the quality of patient care, resident education and operative experience before the enactment of Code 405 vs. after its enactment in February, 2002. The study will also compare objective data pertaining to residents' operative experiences and standardized test scores on the in-training examination before and after the enactment of Code 405. The study will use an anonymous 21-question Likert survey to study the perceptions of the residents and the attendings of the residents' quality of life, education and quality of patient care since the enactment of the 80-hour work-week. The means of the scores on the Orthopaedic In-Training Exam will be used to provide an objective measurement of the effects of the decrease in work hours on the residents' education. A comparison of logged cases will allow us to objectively evaluate and changes in the amount of operative experience resulting from the enactment of Code 405.
Rationale
The rationale for conducting such a study is to utilize the results of this data in order to propose changes to the residents' schedules to ensure optimal patient care, resident education, and quality of life while maintaining strict adherence to Code 405.