Contributor: Meghan Hurley MD

Educational Pearls:

Shift work is defined as anything that takes place outside of a 9-5 schedule, not exempting day-shift medical workers
Various ill effects of shift work on overall health:

Work at the same time every day
Anchor Sleep - always try to be asleep at the same time of day
Progressive shifts: day- into swing- into night shift instead of the other way around
Three days off after a stretch of nights can help reset sleep schedule
Shorter night shifts
Morning shifts should start no earlier than 8 AM

References

Boivin, D. B., Boudreau, P., & Kosmadopoulos, A. (2022). Disturbance of the Circadian System in Shift Work and Its Health Impact. Journal of biological rhythms, 37(1), 3–28. https://doi.org/10.1177/07487304211064218
Jang TW. Work-Fitness Evaluation for Shift Work Disorder. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(3):1294. Published 2021 Feb 1. doi:10.3390/ijerph18031294
Minors DS, Waterhouse JM. Anchor sleep as a synchronizer of rhythms on abnormal routines. Int J Chronobiol. 1981;7(3):165-188.
Reinganum MI, Thomas J. Shift Work Hazards. [Updated 2023 Jan 27]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589670/

Summarized by Jorge Chalit, OMSII | Edited by Meg Joyce & Jorge Chalit, OMSII

Podcast 869: Shift Work

Emergency Medical Minute