Media Contact:
Kelly Thibert, D.O., M.P.H, National President
American Medical Student Association
Phone: (703) 665-4786
Email: [email protected]
Sterling, VA – November 7, 2016 – The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) is founded on a commitment to advocating for high-quality health care, excellence in physician training, and the protection and well-being of both physicians-in-training and their patients.
On November 4, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) proposed changes to resident physician work hour requirements, suggesting the removal of the 16-hour consecutive shift limit for first-year residents and instead allowing them to work up to 28 hours straight. This proposal—to permit first-year medical residents to work 28 consecutive hours without sleep—is a dangerous step backward. If enacted, it would put residents, their patients, and the general public at significant risk of serious harm and even death.
From an educational standpoint, residency training exists to ensure young physicians learn effectively. However, research has consistently shown that both acute and chronic sleep deprivation negatively impact cognitive function and learning. Without adequate rest, residents cannot perform at their full potential. If we deny them the opportunity to learn safely and effectively, then the medical profession has failed them.
Concerns over this potential rollback in work hour restrictions extend beyond residents and physicians-in-training. A recent public opinion poll conducted by Public Citizen found that more than four out of five Americans oppose allowing resident physicians to work more than 16 consecutive hours without sleep. This makes the issue not just one of medical education but also of public safety.
We urge the ACGME to listen to the American public and reject any efforts to remove the 16-hour consecutive shift limit for interns while extending the same cap to all residents. As future physicians, we have a duty to protect both our patients and trainees from harm while maintaining the highest standards of care and education. AMSA calls on the ACGME to uphold that responsibility—ensuring that we, above all, do no harm.
About AMSA: The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) is the largest and oldest independent organization for physicians-in-training in the United States. As a student-governed national association, AMSA is dedicated to advocating for the needs of medical students and those in training. Its members include medical students, premedical students, interns, residents, and practicing physicians. Since its founding in 1950, AMSA has remained committed to advancing medical education and improving public health through live and online learning, advocacy initiatives, and engagement at local and regional chapter levels.
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