The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education announced residency programs may extend first-year resident hours from 16 to 24, starting July 1, 2017.
Here are five insights:
1. The revision allows for an additional four hours to manage care transitions.
2. The shift expansion is intended to enhance continuity of care, clinical teamwork and resident learning experience.
3. All other residents and fellows operate under a 24-hour shift cap.
4. First-year residents may not work more than 80 hours per week, however.
5. The revised guidelines are intended to reflect:
• An emphasis on patient safety and quality
• Physician well-being
• Expectations around team-based care
• Flexibility for scheduling of clinical and education work
Read more about the changes, here.