Urology residents on call: Investigating the workload and relevance of calls

• DOI: 10.5489/cuaj.4333
• Publication Date: 2017-12-01T11:21:10Z
• Authors: Benoît Thériault; Maryse Marceau-Gr...; Anne-Sophie Blais; Vincent Fradet; Katerine Moore; Jonathan Cloutier
• Keywords: Relevance

On-call medical services assumed by residents represent many hours of hard work and no studies have documented what it really entails. As part an effort to improve our on-call system, we examined phone calls received on call. Our objectives were evaluate the characteristics call (who, when, why, need go hospital) determine residents' perception these calls. We also looked into implementing strategies reduce unnecessary calls.We prospectively collected information about using a standardized reporting form with participation all (10) from single urology program over two periods four weeks November 2014 March 2015. Residents answered pre- post-collecting period questionnaires.A total 460 recorded 97 days in lists. There was mean 3.5 (median 3, range 0-12) per weeknight 7.7 6, 0-23) weekend full day. Nintey-three (20%) led for bedside evaluation new consultations (49%). The majority originated clinical in-patient ward (49%) emergency room (29%), nurses (66%) doctors (23%) most commonly initiated Calls between 11:00 pm 8:00 am represented 13% Most (77%) perceived as relevant or very relevant. reported at least 80% calls.Although likely representing underestimate reality, provide first documenting burden Canadian residents.