J Korean Soc Emerg Med.
2022 Aug;33(4):20-28.
What does it take to work healthy as an emergency physician?
- Jang MS
1 - Lee HM1
- Cho KH2
- Kim IB3
- Lee MJ4
- Yoon YS5
- Park KH6,7
- Park SY8
- Kim HJ9
- Key DH10
- Seo BS11
- Joo YM12
- Jee CG13
- Choi SJ14
- Yeo IH4
- Kang JH5
- Jung WJ7
- Lim DS15
- Lee ES16
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- 2Department of Emergency Medicine, Nowon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- 3Department of Emergency Medicine, Myongji Hospital, Goyang, Korea
- 4Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
- 5Department of Emergency Medicine, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
- 6Department of Medical Education, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
- 7Department of Emergency Medicine, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Wouju, Korea
- 8Department of Emergency Medicine, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
- 9Department of Emergency Medicine, KS Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
- 10Department of Emergency Medicine, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
- 11Department of Emergency Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- 12Department of Emergency Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- 13Department of Emergency Medicine, Yeosu Jeonnam Hospital, Yeosu, Korea
- 14Department of Emergency Medicine, Hwahong Hospital, Suwon, Korea
- 15Department of Emergency Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Changwon, Korea
- 16Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea
Abstract
Objective
Unlike the temporary nature of an emergency resident's job, the position of an emergency physician is one of a lifelong commitment requiring stability and persistence. However, it is hard to pursue a healthy lifestyle because of the 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (24/7) working schedule. The emergency room environment demands high physical and mental stamina, and hence the health problems of emergency physicians have a significant impact on the patient’s outcome. Our study was designed to analyze the emergency physician’s health status and influencing factors based on the data from the 2020 Korean Emergency Physician Survey.
Methods
Based on the results of the survey, the factors affecting health were classified into several categories, such as personal character, working conditions, lifestyle, and emotional status. Statistical methods have been used to determine whether these factors can affect self-rated health.
Results
The self-rated health worsened for emergency physicians in their 40s rather than in their 30s. However, drinking, smoking, and eating patterns had no effect on self-rated health. Also, the actual number of shifts was observed to bear no relationship with health. Sleeping, wellness, and mood affected self-rated health. Physicians who felt they were unhealthy, expected an early retirement because of the burden of night shifts.
Conclusion
Emergency physicians in Korea have a low self-rated health status. Mental stress, exercise, and sleep had an impact on the status. Physicians who served long-term night shifts saw a deleterious effect on their sleep and mood, and this damage was cumulative. The career longevity of an emergency physician thus requires a reasonable night shift schedule and age-modified adjustments.
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