Descriptive study on the working conditions of residents of psychiatry in Madrid: working hours and 24-hour on call shifts

INTRODUCTION: Resident physician’s working conditions are linked to poor health outcomes of professionals and patient’s safety. Previous studies suggest that residents in Spain have difficulties enjoying mandatory rest after on-call shifts. OBJECTIVES: This study aims at describing the working conditions: working hours and the absence of mandatory rest periods after a 24h on-call shift in residents of psychiatry in the region of Madrid. METHODS: A descriptive observational cross-sectional study was carried out through an anonymous survey adapted from the available literature. RESULTS: Up to 24,1% of the surveyed residents could not enjoy mandatory resting periods after a 24 hour on-call shift and the mandatory weekly rest of at least 36 hours was not done in up to 17% of the cases with statistical significance (p <0.05). The average number of 24 hours on call shifts residents had to work per month was 5, which exceeds the maximum weekly hours allowed by law. CONCLUSIONS: The findings reveal a violation of resident physician labor rights in relation to resting times after on-call shifts, weekly breaks and working hours. These phenomena pose a significant threat to resident physician’s health and patient safety. DISCLOSURE: No significant relationships.