Podcast 869: Shift Work

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Contributor: Meghan Hurley MD</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Educational Pearls:</strong></p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Shift work is defined as anything that takes place outside of a 9-5 schedule, not exempting day-shift medical workers</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Various ill effects of shift work on overall health:</p> </li> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Increased all-cause mortality</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Increased number of accidents</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Glucose metabolism dysregulation</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Increased BMI</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Fertility impacts for men and women</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Increased breast cancer risk</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Decreased cognitive functioning</p> </li> </ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Mitigation strategies</p> </li> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Work at the same time every day</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Anchor Sleep - always try to be asleep at the same time of day</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Progressive shifts: day- into swing- into night shift instead of the other way around</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Three days off after a stretch of nights can help reset sleep schedule</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Shorter night shifts</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="2"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Morning shifts should start no earlier than 8 AM</p> </li> </ul> <li dir="ltr" ar