Association between Long Working Hours and Suicidal Ideation / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between long working hours and suicidal ideation. METHODS: Data based on the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Health and Nutrition Examination Survey_(2007~2009) pertaining to a total of 4,539 full-time workers were analyzed. Working hours were divided into four groups (60 hours/week). The relationship between working hours and suicidal ideation was then analyzed after adjusting for general and occupational characteristics using a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: Working 40-51 hours/week showed the lowest suicidal ideation(9.5%), whereas working 52~59 hours/week, over 60 hours/week and less than 40 hours/week showed suicidal ideations of 14.8%, 15.7% and 17.2% respectively. Even after adjusting for general and occupational characteristics, employees working 40~51 hours/week had the lowest suicidal ideation. Working 52~59 hour/week, over 60 hours/week and less than 40 hours/week showed an odds ratios of 1.413(p-value: 0.058), 1.380(p-value: 0.020) and 1.164(p-value: 0.358) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that working long hours, especially over 60 hours per week, is related to suicidal ideation.

Addressing Residency Work Hours / 医学教育

1)In the aftermath of a well-known case of medical malpractice in the U.S., excessive resident work hours became a major national issue. In order to help reduce resident work hours, the system of night float was developed.<br>2)In the night float system, the resident on duty has no daytime clinical responsibilities and instead works solely on the night shift. Typically, residents have multiple night float rotations, lasting one to two weeks each, over the course of a year.<br>3)In medical centers where night float is utilized, residents who are not on night float are relieved of responsibility for providing overnight clinical coverage of their patients. Resident satisfaction with this system has been high, and the night float has been adopted by residency training programs throughout the U.S.<br>4)The night float system has benefits not only in terms of reducing resident work hours but also potentially improving certain clinical skills, promoting patient safety, and enhancing other areas. However, some studies have shown drawbacks of the system in the areas that other studies have hailed improvements.