BMJ  2005;331:514 (3 September), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7515.514

Letter

Junior doctors' shifts and sleep deprivation

New on-call rotas do not work

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—Clearly the editorial by Murray et al on junior doctors' shifts has struck a chord with many, as on-call rotas are something close to many doctors hearts.1 2 To most it seems the grass is not greener on the other side.

Having worked most rotas, be it a traditional one in four, with full weekends, to partial, hybrid, and full shift patterns, I am in a reasonable position to comment on what I think makes a liveable on-call rota.

I was under the impression that the European Working Time Directive was set out to improve the health and safety of workers, make working conditions better, but also make life away from work better because doctors would be less tired. The directive scores a "no" against all of these. I find myself more tired at work and at home, less enthusiastic, and less motivated by what is becoming a regular . . . [Full text of this article]

Nicholas Akerman, specialist registrar in anaesthetics

Scarborough Hospital, Scarborough YO12 6QL nik_lucy@hotmail.com


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