Background: Unlike in the USA and Europe, there are no work hour limitations for residents training or working in hospitals in the Philippines and most Asia. There is also no baseline data on the quantity and quality of working hours of residents in the Philippines. To determine and analyze the work and non-work activities among surgical residents in the country, a prospective study was done in selected accredited training programs. Methods: The study involved first year and graduating (4th or 5th year) general surgery residents in selected training hospitals in Manila, Cebu and Mindanao. The subjects were asked to accomplish a 24-hour diary describing the details of their activity for a period of 14 consecutive days. The residents likewise completed a survey regarding satisfaction with their lifestyle and their training activities. The work and non-work hours, and the various activities of the residents were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. Results: A total of 85 residents (29 senior and 56 first years) from 11 hospitals participated in the study. The average total working hours was 111.2 per week and overall average sleep time was 4.7 hours per day. There were significant differences in total work hours and the amount of time spent for various activities between senior and first year residents, and between residents in private hospitals and government hospitals. There was a significant correlation between total work hours and satisfaction with lifestyle but no correlation with the level of satisfaction within their training activities and desire to reform training. Conclusions: During their training, a significant number of surgery residents in the Philippines experience: 1) Prolonged working hours and potential sleep deprivation, 2) wide disparity in the working hours between senior and first year residents, 3) high proportion of time four scut work and 4) low proportion of time form academic activity, study and out-patient work. Reforms need to be instituted not only to reduce the working hours of surgical residents but also to improve their educational experience in order to promote patient safety, quality of care and the health and well- being residents. Key words: Residents work hours, surgical training
WORKING HOURS