The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine cover image

The Skeptics Guide to Emergency Medicine

SGEM#399: I’m So Tired – Emergency Medicine and Fatigue

Apr 1, 2023
In this discussion, Dr. Justin Morgenstern, an emergency physician and creator of First10EM.com, joins Lauren Fowler, a neuroscience professor focusing on fatigue, and Dr. Emily Hirsh, an associate professor dedicated to faculty wellbeing. They dive into the critical issue of fatigue in emergency medicine, revealing its ties to shift work and how it impairs performance and patient care. Insights into managing burnout, recent research findings on fatigue assessment, and the importance of systemic changes highlight the necessity for a healthier work environment in this demanding field.
01:03:08

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Emergency physicians often suffer from fatigue due to shift work, which can significantly impair cognitive function and patient care.
  • Research indicating that emergency physicians average only 6.5 hours of sleep shows the urgent need for effective fatigue management strategies.

Deep dives

The Impact of Fatigue on Emergency Physicians

Many emergency physicians experience significant fatigue due to the demands of shift work and erratic sleep patterns. Studies indicate that this lack of quality sleep can impair cognitive function and performance, potentially compromising patient care. Research suggests that fatigue can negatively affect decision-making and empathy levels, similarly to being under the influence of alcohol. Given the critical nature of their work, understanding and addressing fatigue in emergency medicine is of utmost importance.

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