Clinical learning during night: Is it time for rethink and reset?

Dear Editor,

The recent report that found that “learning during night call is perceived as less effective than during the day” by Qin et al. is very interesting. ¹ Junior physicians have to work hard, which usually also entails the extra burden of night duty. Whether the learning is achieved during the day or night may not be the issue, but rather the span of time spent learning. It should be noted that the system of night duty conducted by physicians is one that few other medical professions share. Since physicians are in short supply, the physician is usually severely stretched and has to work very hard. It is logical that the ability of the physician will decrease when working continuously without appropriate rest. This is especially the case for young interns, whose learning ability at night would be severely compromised. This adversely affects not only the physician’s health, but also that of the patients’ safety. Such great strains lower the effectiveness of the physician at night, resulting in unwanted medical errors. ² The question to consider is whether it is time to rethink a more appropriate schedule for learning and working for the physician.