Last month, the ACGME formally increased its work-hour limits for resident physicians, a change that was widely covered in the press.
This decision has also been significantly mis-reported. While it may seem like all residents will now work for longer hours, in reality, only first year interns will be allowed to work longer 24 hour shifts, where the previous maximum was 16- a limit adopted in 2011. 2nd year and up, the restrictions will not change: 24 hour shifts, no more often than every 3rd day, with an 80 hour per week average which were the restrictions adopted in 2003.
This decision has also been significantly mis-reported. While it may seem like all residents will now work for longer hours, in reality, only first year interns will be allowed to work longer 24 hour shifts, where the previous maximum was 16- a limit adopted in 2011. 2nd year and up, the restrictions will not change: 24 hour shifts, no more often than every 3rd day, with an 80 hour per week average which were the restrictions adopted in 2003.
