Reaction to the proposed new standards

By: Julie McCoy June 28th, 2010

A few organizations have released statements sizing up the ACGME’s proposed duty hour standards. Here’s a recap of what a few of them are saying:

Public Citizen (PC): PC is a consumer group that supported big cuts to resident duty hours and spearheaded the Wake Up Doctor campaign. PC issued a report card giving the ACGME grades on each of the main points covered in the new standards. Here’s how the ACGME did (in PC’s eyes):

Limits to duty hours: F

Adequate on site direct supervision: B

Structured, institutionalized handover processes: C

Increased oversight of residency programs: F

For more information, read PC’s rationale for each grade.

Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR): CIR, the largest union for residents, states that the ACGME’s proposed standards do enough to protect patients and residents, especially the ACGME’s decision not to limit all resident shifts to 16 hours. Like PC, CIR points out that the effects of chronic sleep deprivation do not cease to exist after residents enter their second year of training. Read more about CIR’s position on the proposed standards.

American Medical Student Association (AMSA): The AMSA commends the ACGME’s proposed standard of limiting intern shift lengths to 16 hours, but calls on the ACGME to also limit intermediate-level residents to 16-hour shifts. AMSA’s position is here.

AAMC: The AAMC praises the ACGME’s proposed standards and states that the new requirements align with the AAMC’s 2009 recommendations for fatigue management, greater supervision, appropriate workloads, and effective care transitions. The AAMC also praises the ACGME for not taking a one-size-fits-all approach and allowing for flexibility between specialties. Read more.

Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS): The CMSS applauds the proposed standards and says that the ACGME balanced patient safety, work hours, fatigue, supervisions, and patient safety. The organization also praises the ACGME for promoting professionalism. Read the full statement.