PEDIATRICS Vol. 53 No. 5 May 1974, pp. 712-715
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A Time Study of the Pediatric Resident's Day

Alan Meyers M.D.1, Carmi Z. Margolis M.D.1, Joseph Sheehan Ph.D.1, S. Joseph Aita M.D.1, and William Risser M.D.1

1 Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, and the Department of Research in Health Education, University of Connecticut Health Center, New Haven

A description of a hypothetical assistant resident's (PL-2) day was obtained through direct observations of ten trainees on a university hospital's pediatric service. Eleven activity categories were defined and a matrix of observation sessions designed so that each resident was observed for 100 minutes per session for a total of five sessions. Sessions were arranged so that each trainee was observed on all five weekdays and in five different time periods.

On the average, the trainees spent 50% of their time in patient-care activities; 29% in educational activities; and the remainder in personal-social activities, in transit, or off duty. Residents assigned to the outpatient service spent statistically significant less time teaching and more time with patients and peers.

The data shed light on recent controversies regarding costs of house staff training versus benefits to the hospital. Based on these data, the replacement costs to the institution for service rendered was calculated to exceed present program costs. On the other hand, certain time expenditures were questioned from an educational standpoint.

Submitted on August 9, 1973
Accepted on September 10, 1973