Survey Finds Young Doctors Work While Ill

Most doctors in training have worked while sick, a study suggests. The study was based on a survey of 537 medical residents at 12 U.S. hospitals. Nearly 58% of those who responded said they had worked at least once while sick. About 31% said they had done it more than once. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education conducted the survey. This is the group that accredits hospital residency programs. Its top executive told the Associated Press (AP) that residents need to realize that if they are sick, then their patients would be better off in the care of another doctor. The council has proposed new rules for residents. They include changes related to work hours. They also say that residents should not ignore signs of illness in themselves and coworkers. The Journal of the American Medical Association published the study. AP wrote about it September 15.