What Happens After Surgeons Take a Break?
We find that a surgeon’s additional day away from the operating room raised patients’ inpatient mortality risk by up to 0.067 percentage points (2.4% relative effect) but reduced total hospitalization costs by up to 0.59 percentage points…Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that after returning from temporal breaks surgeons may be less likely to recognize and address life-threatening complications, in turn reducing resource use. (NBER Working Paper)
So, are they advocating the surgeons not be allowed to take breaks?
No…well…maybe? I’m not sure, exactly.
Sorry Dr. Jones, no more vacations for you.
We’re worried that the time you take off to destress and sleep is making you worse. So, from now on you’re not allowed out of the hospital.
They’ve got beds and a cafeteria. They’ll be fine.
Just chain them to the tables
In many real world situations we’d call the difference between estimated mortality rates of (about) 2.5 percent and 2.567 percent rounding error.
But this is health care research with a big sample of patients who may or may not have died as a result of the surgery.
At least it showed that health care costs are lower when people die than when they have to pay for their recovery.
That’s good news I guess?
Hmm, I think I want my doctor taking breaks, being well-rested, not being stressed, etc…
According to the link that may not be true!
I somehow feel better knowing my doctor is well rested
Maybe by being tired they force themselves to remain more focused?
Or are popping focus enhancers
Like college, adderall for everyone!
Another guy I wasn’t well-rested is the pilot of the airline I travel on.