Sleep deprived and unprepared

Recent UK government policy initiatives concerning 24/7 care have once again put the spotlight on work after hours. The unavoidable night shift confronts us on a regular basis with the physical, psychological, social, and emotional impacts of acute sleep deprivation and fatigue. Although the function of sleep is still not fully understood, it is undoubtedly vital for our good health and well-being. Regardless, on average we are sleeping less now than we ever did before. As a result, there is endless debate about the dangers of long working hours vs the benefits of continuity of care. Intriguingly, very little is actually known about the impact of delaying sleep on our behaviour as a team member in an unpredictable environment such as the emergency room, operating room, or intensive care unit.

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