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The Effect of a Goal-Oriented Work Style on Efficiency and Work Satisfaction

Raphael S. Chung, MD, MBA; Naveed Ahmed, MD

Arch Surg. 2007;142(3):249-252.

Hypothesis  When work hours are limited, improving residents' work efficiency allows more time for key training activities, reduces frustration, and improves work satisfaction.

Design  Prospective control study.

Setting  General surgical service with a trauma program.

Participants  Five full-time attending physicians, a resident team of 9 members, and 3 surgical assistants.

Intervention  Reorganization of work habits based on a goal-oriented work style.

Main Outcome Measures  Changes of time spent in key activities; punctuality for operations, clinics, and conferences; residents' work satisfaction, physical fatigue, and mental stress; and attending physician and patient evaluations of residents.

Results  A goal-oriented work style reduced round time and nonpurposeful time and improved punctuality for key education activities. More operative time could be accommodated within the work-hours limits. Residents' work satisfaction improved while mental stress was reduced. Patient satisfaction scores also increased.

Conclusions  Residents' work is generally inefficient. Reduced work hours should be accompanied by work-habit reform to make the best use of residents' training time.

Author Affiliations: Department of Surgery, Huron Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Health System, Cleveland, Ohio.

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