Resident Workload and Learning in Medicine
Author Information
Author(s): Haney Elizabeth M, Nicolaidis Christina, Hunter Alan, Chan Benjamin KS, Cooney Thomas G, Bowen Judith L
Primary Institution: Oregon Health & Science University
Hypothesis
The relationship between perceived workload and learning has a maximum point, forming a parabolic curve.
Conclusion
Perceived resident workload is complex and influenced by patient acuity and case variety.
Supporting Evidence
- Residents reported feeling more challenged as patient numbers increased.
- Learning scores correlated with patient acuity and case variety.
- Interns showed a parabolic relationship between patient census and learning.
Takeaway
If residents have too many or too few patients, they don't learn as well. There's a sweet spot for how many patients they should have.
Methodology
Residents reported their patient censuses and rated their learning perceptions, acuity, and case variety; data were analyzed using regression models.
Potential Biases
Non-response bias may have affected the data, particularly from busy services.
Limitations
The study was conducted at two hospitals with residents from one program, and survey responses may have been biased by workload perceptions.
Participant Demographics
Residents in their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years of training from two academic teaching hospitals.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.018
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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