Determination and evaluation of sleeplessness and fatigue and the factors associated with it among emergency medicine residents working at education and research hospitals in Istanbul

Abstract

Introduction: This study is aimed to determine and evaluate the factors which affect the level of sleep and fatigue among the emergency medicine residents working at education and research hospitals in Istanbul. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective and crosssectional survey study that was carried out among emergency medicine residents working at education and training hospitals in İstanbul in 2013. At the time of study, we have revealed a total of 240 emergency medicine residents. The study was based on voluntary participation. Survey forms were distributed to the participants. In the study Piper Fatigue Scale and Epworth Sleep Scale are used for measurement of fatigue. Participants also answered the survey related to demographic factors. Results: There are 130 male and 63 female emergency medicine residents at the mean age 29.8±3.7 year (Participation rate 80.4%). According to Piper Fatigue Scale, the most common fatigue time of emergency medicine residents is detected 55.4% as months. 12.4% of residients never feel fatigue. At Piper Fatigue Scale, there was no statistically differences between general fatigue times and rates of age, sex, marital status, children, chronic illness, drug use, drug type, tobacco use, duration of residency, total profession time, guard time, month study period, general practice in emergency department of emergency residients.. According to Epworth Sleep Scale 66.8% of residients were determined normally sleepy, 26.4% sleepy and 6.7% very sleepy. Conclusion: Severe working conditions, intense and shift working and stress factors increase the level of sleep and fatigue among emergency medical residients.