The effect of mandatory post-call relief on sleep and wellness in ophthalmology residents

BACKGROUND: Multiple duty hour reforms have been implemented to optimize resident wellness through increasing opportunities for sleep recovery, but few studies have recorded objectively measured sleep or shown direct sleep and wellness benefits from such interventions.

This study seeks to determine whether mandatory post-call relief policies with a partial night float system improved resident sleep, activity, and burnout among ophthalmology residents taking home call.

METHODS: We conducted a two group cohort study of ophthalmology residents at the University Washington comparing post graduate year-2 (PGY-2) resident sleep, activity, and burnout between the optional post-call relief group from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2019 to the mandatory post-call relief group from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2021.

RESULTS: Of twenty total residents participating in the survey portion, 18 residents participated in the sleep and activity tracking portion of the study, 9 in in the optional post-call relief cohort, and 9 in the mandatory post-call relief cohort.

The mandatory post-call relief group recorded longer total sleep on call than the optional post-call relief group (p < 0.001).

There was no difference in overnight sleep recorded on call (median 3.4 h), but residents recorded more time napping in the mandatory post-call relief cohort (p < 0.001).

There was no significant difference between cohorts in amount of sleep while not on call.

Residents in the mandatory post-call relief cohort recorded higher average daily steps, higher exercise time, and lower sedentary time than residents in the optional post-call relief cohort (p < 0.001).

They also recorded lower median emotional exhaustion on the Maslach Burnout Inventory and lower stress in the Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale in the mandatory post-call relief cohort (p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of mandatory post-call relief policies with a partial night-float system among PGY-2 residents was associated with more post-call naps with more overall physical activity, lower emotional exhaustion scores, and lower stress scores, despite no changes to overnight sleep on call or total sleep.

Although sample size limits interpretation of data, implementation of mandatory post call relief could be considered to improve post-call sleep in programs with home call.