Descriptive study on the absence of mandatory days-off after a 24-hour on call shift of resident physicians in Madrid. Analysis of the effect of the 2020 resident physician’s strike.

Abstract

Background: This study aims at describing the absence of mandatory rest periods after a 24h on call shift in resident physicians in the region of Madrid. It also tries to elucidate the effect which the 2020 resident physician’s strike has had in this phenomenon.

Materials and methods: A descriptive observational cross-sectional study has been carried out through an anonymous survey adapted from the available literature.

Results: Before the resident’s strike up to 27,2% of the residents surveyed could not enjoy mandatory resting periods after a 24 hour on-call shift. The mandatory weekly rest of at least 36 hours was not done in up to 87% of the cases. After the residents' strike, these figures have been reduced to 19.8% and 34.5% respectively, with statistical significance comparing with previous percentages (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 the mandatory days-off after 24-hour on call shifts and weekly breaks. The resident physician’s strike has reduced the incidence of the phenomenon, but it remains a relevant threat to resident physician’s health and patient safety.