OTE200: Resident work hours

Issue: February 2013

Should changes be made to the current work hour limitations for medical residents in Europe?

Work hours poll

Perspective from David L. Hamblen, PhD, FRCS

A note from the editors:The OTE200 is a group of approximately 200 European orthopaedic practitioners, educators and researchers whose opinions we poll each month. If you would like to be considered for membership, please send a request to orthopaedics@healio.com.

Perspective

David L. Hamblen, PhD, FRCS

Certainly in the United Kingdom the system is crumbling due to the loss of continuity of patient care, which does not work as effectively with shift systems. The pressure comes increasingly on to the Consultant workforce, which needs to follow the same European work time limits, though clearly many have opted out to keep the system running.

David L. Hamblen, PhD, FRCS

Emeritus Consulting Editor Orthopaedics Today Europe

Glasgow, Scotland

Disclosures: Hamblen has no relevant financial disclosures.