Authors: Smith, A.M.; Morris, P.; Rowell, K.O.; Clarke, S.; Jones, T.H.; Channer, K.S.

Source: Clinical Medicine, Journal of the Royal College of Physicians, Volume 6, Number 2, March/April 2006 , pp. 174-177(4)

Publisher: Royal College of Physicians

Abstract:

We studied the hormonal and psychological effect of the full shift rota on junior doctors after implementation of the European Working Time Directive, using a comparative, cross-sectional study design of male doctors in South Yorkshire. Cortisol and testosterone levels were measured and subjects completed the general health questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the androgen deficiency in the aging male screening questionnaire (ADAM), after a week of holiday (baseline), a week of nights, and a normal working week. The results showed that cortisol levels decreased from 480.6±33.1 nmol/l at baseline (after a week of holiday), to 355.7±29.1 nmol/l post normal working week (p=0.003); to 396.7±32.5 nmol/l post nights (p=0.03). GHQ-12 scores increased from 0.5±0.3 at baseline, to 1.8±0.5 post normal working week (p=0.02) and to 2.3±0.5 post nights (p=0.005). These results suggest that there are still appreciable physiological consequences with new work patterns.

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Keywords: HORMONES; JUNIOR PHYSICIAN; PSYCHOLOGY

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2006-03-01

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• Clinical Medicine is published six times a year and circulated to 20,000 Fellows and Members of the Royal College of Physicians. The journal is read by physicians both established and in training in hospitals across the world. It features a wide range of articles including original papers, professional issues, clinical guidance, medical humanities, ethics and clinical governance. The journal publishes the key features from the College lectures and conferences. Each issue has a CME section which reviews the latest advances in a chosen specialty.
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