What does it take to work healthy as an emergency physician?
- Author:
Min Seok JANG
1
;
Hyung Min LEE
;
Kwang Hyun CHO
;
In Byung KIM
;
Mi Jin LEE
;
Yoo Sang YOON
;
Kyung Hye PARK
;
Song Yi PARK
;
Hong Jae KIM
;
Dong Hoon KEY
;
Beom Sok SEO
;
Young Min JOO
;
Chang Gun JEE
;
Suk Jae CHOI
;
In Hwan YEO
;
Ji Hun KANG
;
Woo Jin JUNG
;
Dae Sung LIM
;
Eu Sun LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Emergency Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
2022;33(4):20-28
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Objective:Unlike the temporary nature of an emergency resident's job, the position of an emergency physician is one of a lifelong commitment requiring stability and persistence. However, it is hard to pursue a healthy lifestyle because of the 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (24/7) working schedule. The emergency room environment demands high physical and mental stamina, and hence the health problems of emergency physicians have a significant impact on the patient’s outcome. Our study was designed to analyze the emergency physician’s health status and influencing factors based on the data from the 2020 Korean Emergency Physician Survey.
Methods:Based on the results of the survey, the factors affecting health were classified into several categories, such as personal character, working conditions, lifestyle, and emotional status. Statistical methods have been used to determine whether these factors can affect self-rated health.
Results:The self-rated health worsened for emergency physicians in their 40s rather than in their 30s. However, drinking, smoking, and eating patterns had no effect on self-rated health. Also, the actual number of shifts was observed to bear no relationship with health. Sleeping, wellness, and mood affected self-rated health. Physicians who felt they were unhealthy, expected an early retirement because of the burden of night shifts.
Conclusion:Emergency physicians in Korea have a low self-rated health status. Mental stress, exercise, and sleep had an impact on the status. Physicians who served long-term night shifts saw a deleterious effect on their sleep and mood, and this damage was cumulative. The career longevity of an emergency physician thus requires a reasonable night shift schedule and age-modified adjustments.
