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Samadi F, Tirgar A, Nikpour M, Sefidchian A. Shift Work in Medical Students: A Cross-sectional Study on Medical Interns . AOH 2017; 1 (1) :6-12
URL: http://aoh.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-25-en.html
Shift Work in Medical Students: A Cross-sectional Study on Medical Interns
Fatemeh Samadi1 , Aram Tirgar * 2, Maryam Nikpour3 , Alireza Sefidchian3
1- Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran•
2- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran , a.tirgar@mubabol.ac.ir
3- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran•
Keywords: Sleep Disorders, Medical Students, Iran
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Shift Work in Medical Students: A Cross-sectional Study on Medical Interns
 
Fatemeh Samadi1, Aram Tirgar2*, Maryam Nikpour2, Alireza Sefidchian2 1 Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran• 2 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran• * Corresponding Author: Aram Tirgar, Email: a.tirgar@mubabol.ac.ir, Tel: +98-911-3133781
 
Abstract
Background: Medical students are required to do part of their services in different shifts. This pattern can harm their health and education. This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between shift work and the health status of medical interns. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 104 medical interns of Babol University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The data collection instrument included Survey of Shift workers (SOS) and Goldberg’s General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentages, as well as analytical statistics (independent t-test,
Chi-square, and correlation) was performed. Results: According to the results, married and female students made up 75% and 18% of the participants, respectively. The mean age of participants was 25 ± 1 years. The statistical analysis showed that almost two thirds (71.6%) of students did not have appropriate mental health status and there was a significant relationship between mental health status and gastrointestinal problems (P= 0.041). There was a significant relationship between shift-work satisfaction and its adverse effects on students' family life (P<0.05). About 81.1% of students stated that they were unsatisfied with their shifts. In addition, students suffered from relatively high prevalence of digestive problems (76.3%) and insomnia (63.2%). Conclusion: The results of this study indicated a high prevalence of shift work problems among medical interns. It is recommended to train medical interns about the effects of shift work problems on their life and possible solutions.
 
Keywords: Sleep Disorders; Medical Students; Iran
 
 
Introduction
The internship course can be considered as the most important stage in training of medical students. In this course, the students must be able to competently implement all the skills learned.1 In the internship course, medical students experience job stress and high work pressure2, 3 and are forced to present part of their training and services in the form of long-term and night shifts.4 Night shifts in the internship course can harm students' health and even their education. Night shifts adversely affect human health by disturbing the circadian rhythm, reducing melatonin hormone, and disturbing the sleep-wake cycle.5,6 Shift work is associated with physical problems such as digestive,7 cardiovascular disorders,8 metabolic syndrome,9 obesity,10 and diabetes.11
Shift workers are also exposed to psychological problems such as mood disorders, irritability, anxiety, depression,12 and some social consequences such as conflict with the family.13,14 Higher prevalence of sleep disturbance, stress, as well as lack of focus reported in interns and medical assistants.15 Interns are directly involved in the health issues of the society and any change in their behavior and performance affects their service quality. Although there are tens of studies on the consequences of shift-work on nurses’ health status, no studies have been conducted on the possible effects of shift working on the health status of interns attending night shifts. This study aimed to investigate the health consequences of attending shift work in medical interns of Babol University of Medical Sciences.
 
Methods
This cross sectional study was conducted on all interns working in all educational hospitals affiliated to Babol University of Medical Sciences during the 2016. The study was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the University Ethical Committee. Totally 104 medical intern were enrolled in the study. Inclusion criteria were having at least six months of work experience in the internship course with different shifts and filling out the consent forms of participation. Interns with a history of mental problems, long-term use of drugs associated with sleep disorders, and chronic diseases were excluded.
Data collection instrument included Survey of Shift Workers questionnaire (SOS) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ28). The SOS questionnaire was developed by the Medical Research Council/Economic and Social Research Council (MRC/ESRC) in England.16 This questionnaire is almost the most valid and complete general questionnaire on work-related problems, which includes 57 questions including items about demographic and individual characteristics, psychological, digestive, cardiovascular, sleep-related problems during the night, insomnia, musculoskeletal disorders, undesirable effects of shift work on individual life, adverse effects of shift-work on family life (such as not having enough time to do homework, be together with parents, attend family events), and adverse effects of shift work on social life (such as attending celebrations, religious ceremonies, and sports events).12 Choobineh et al. modified the questions from 57 to 54  items and confirmed its reliability coefficient as 0.81.17 GHQ28 is one of the well-known instruments for screening mental disorders.18 In this instrument, lower scores indicate better mental health status.19 This questionnaire was standardized for Iranian population. The cut-off point was 23 in this questionnaire, so the people with a score of 24 or higher are suspected for mental disorders.20 All participants were required to complete the questionnaire. The blood pressure was measured using mercury sphygmomanometer (Made in Germany) on the right hand of participants after 5 minutes of rest in the sitting position and results were recorded as mmHg. Students' level of education and their specialized knowledge was recorded using a questionnaire. Body mass index (BMI) calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared, and categorized in normal: 18.5 to 24.9, overweight: 25 to 29.9, and obese: 30 and above. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, relative frequency, and standard deviation, as well as inferential statistics such as t-test, chi-square, and correlation analysis. The t-test was used to examine the difference in mean scores. Moreover, p≤0.05 was considered as the level of significance.
 
Results
In this study, 104 medical students including 78 females and 26 males (with approximately gender ratio of 3 to 1) were investigated. The mean age of students was 25 (SD=1) year. Furthermore, 18% of them were married and 42% had more than one year of shift work experience. According to the students’ statements, they were committed to work 60 hours a week on average. The results of blood pressure test in students showed that mean of systolic and diastolic blood pressure was 116.76 (SD=10.98) and 77.60 (SD=10.04) mmHg, respectively. Based on BMI, about 25% of students were overweight. This problem was significantly higher in male students than in female students (p=0.02) (Table 1). The findings also revealed that the highest rate of complaints in both genders was related to neuropsychiatric problems. All students reported at least one of neuropsychiatric problems such as anger, carelessness in work, repeated mistakes, impatience, irritability, depression, and fatigue during the day. However, the most prevalent problems were anger and impatience with rates of 37.6% and 27.7% respectively. In addition, about 76.3% of students reported at least one symptom of gastrointestinal disorders. The most frequent one was decreased appetite (28.2%). Eighty percent of students suffered from digestive problems after engaging in shift work. Table 1 provides more information on the shift work by gender. Mental health score of students according to the GHQ28 was 33.93 (SD=14.40). Moreover, the findings showed that only about one-third of students had good mental health status (Table1). Results showed no significant statistical difference between the mental health status score in two genders.
Table 1. Distribution of shift work complications in interns of Babol University of Medical Sciences by gender
p-value Total
n (%)		 Men
n (%)		 Woman
n (%)
Mental Health (GHQ28)
0.08 29 (29.00)
73 (73.00)		 10 (41.67)
14 (58.33)		 19 (24.36)
59 (75.64)		 Appropriate
Inappropriate
Gastrointestinal complaints
0.35 61 (76.25)
19 (23.75)		 16 (84.21)
3 (15.79)		 45 (73.77)
16 (26.23)		 Yes
No
Musculoskeletal discomfort
0.01 53 (59.55)
36 (40.45)		 20 (80.00)
5 (20.00)		 33 (51.56)
31 (4.44)		 Yes
No
Complain of insomnia
0.57 60 (63.16)
35 (36.84)		 14 (58.33)
10 (41.67)		 46 (64.79)
25 (35.21)		 Yes
No
Disturbance in concentration
0.01 35 (41.67)
49 (58.33)		 14 (66.67)
7 (33.33)		 21 (33.33)
42 (66.67)		 Yes
No
The effect of work shift on individual life
0.04 31 (44.93)
38 (55.07)		 4 (23.53)
13 (76.47)		 27 (51.92)
25 (48.08)		 High
Low and moderate
The effect of work shift on family life
0.10 30 (37.50)
50 (62.50)		 4 (22.22)
14 (77.78)		 26 (41.94)
36 (58.06)		 High
Low and moderate
The effect of work shift on social life
0.57 31 (42.47)
42 (57.53)		 5 (35.71)
9 (64.29)		 26 (44.07)
33 (55.93)		 High
Low and moderate
Satisfaction with the educational shift system
0.01 18 (18.18)
81 (81.82)		 9 (36.00)
16 (64.00)		 9 (12.16)
65 (87.84)		 Yes
No
Job stress
0.05 57 (75.00)
19 (25.00)		 11 (57.89)
8 (42.11)		 46 (80.70)
11 (19.30)		 Yes
No
Body mass index
0.02 77 (76.24)
24 (23.76)		 14 (58.33)
10 (41.67)		 63 (81.82)
14 (18.18)		 Normal
Overweight
 

Table 2. Correlation between some occupational and individual characteristics with sift work related complains in medical interns of Babol University of Medical Sciences
Gastrointestinal complaints Sleep related complains Musculoskeletal complaints Personal relationships Family relationships Social relationships
Satisfaction with the educational system r=-0.11
p=0.32		 r=0.11
p=0.29		 r=-0.21
p=0.07		 r=-0.27
p=0.09		 r=-0.27
p=0.01		 r=-0.56
p=0.64
Job stress r=0.05
p=0.72		 r=0.14
p=0.07		 r=0.10
p=0.41		 r=0.57
p<0.001		 r=0.01
p=0.89		 r=0.06
p=0.61
Mental health score (GHQ28) r=-0.28
p=0.04		 r=0.28
p=0.01		 r=-0.12
p=0.24		 r=-0.20
p=0.09		 r=-0.19
p=0.07		 r=-0.10
p=0.37
r: correlation coefficient; p: p-value
Pearson correlation test showed a significant and inverse correlation between mental health status, gastrointestinal complaints (r=-0.28, p=0.014), and sleep related complaints (r=-0.25, p=0.014) (Table 2).
According to the findings, students mean sleep duration was 4 (SD=1) hours when they attending their internship course. The average of this duration was 8.5 (SD=1) hours during non-internship course. Based on student's statements, the average desired sleep time was estimated to be 8 (SD=1) hours a day. The results showed that 75% of medical interns suffer from occupational stress and more than 80% of them are dissatisfied with their educational shift working system (Table 1). Spearman correlation test showed that there is a significant inverse correlation between dissatisfaction with this educational system (shift work) and satisfaction with family relationships (p=0.01). Further, there was a significant and positive correlation between occupational stress and Personal relationships reported (p<0.001) (Table 2).
 
Discussion
Despite the fact that work-shift is an inevitable and harmful model for health care providers, several studies have already been carried out to investigate its adverse effects on medical personnel.21,22 However, there are currently no sufficient reports and documentations on the effects of shift work on medical students. The results of this study showed that shift work can affect the health and life status of medical students (students who have to be engaged in internship courses due to the educational model) from a variety of aspects. The most commonly reported complaint in this study was nervous and psychiatric problems (disturbance in concentration, anger, impatience, etc.). Another study also reported a similar result in a study on shift work among nurses. They mentioned that nurses had the highest level of confusion, indignation, anger, and anxiety, while they had the lowest energy level after the night shift. It was
also noted that night work can cause multiple psychological problems for shift workers by disrupting concentration, decision-making power, and subsequent carelessness on the job, frequent mistakes, irritability, and mood disorders.23
Forty percent of the students in this study stated that they do not have the proper focus on their work. Gastrointestinal complaints were among the prevalent health outcomes reported by 76% of the students. More importantly, 80% of participants did not have the problem before entering the shift work.
The causes of high incidence of gastrointestinal disorders in students can be attributed to several factors such as disrupted circadian rhythm, stress, as well as irregular and inappropriate eating habits. The disrupted circadian rhythm caused by poor sleep quality may interfere with gastric acid secretion in the gastrointestinal tract, which in turn causes digestive complications.24 However, stress, or high psychological stress, can be among the other possible causes of gastrointestinal complaints. A total of 75% of the students stated that they suffered from occupational stress. Moreover, there was a positive and significant correlation between stress and gastrointestinal complaints. It seems that students in medicine and dentistry fields experience higher levels of stress than students of other fields. Our results are consistent with other studies in this field.25 The high level of stress in this profession can be due to lack of holidays, high workloads,25 dealing with patients' problems, and mental stresses in the hospital environment.26 In addition, there are other factors involved in this regard such as an increase in concerns about career issues, marriage, and fulfillment of the needs in the last academic years.27 Sleepiness and lack of sleep are among the common problems of shift work, which can cause mood changes, increased psychological disorders, fatigue, and impairment of learning process.24 Several studies reported sleeping problems in shift workers.28,29
In our study, 60% of students suffered from lack of sleep because they had to work at least 60 hours per week, which is equal to 240 hours of attendance in a hospital per month. According to these findings, the average sleep duration was calculated as 4 hours during night shifts, while the students reported at least 8 hours of sleep a day as preference. In other words, their lack of sleep was not compensated at other shifts. Researchers have reported in several studies that sleep disturbance can induce adverse effects on physical, mental, and social health.30-32 Student's mental health status was measured using GHQ28 and the results showed that only one third of them had good mental health status. In a study in Malaysia, about 41.2% of medical students were suspected to having mental disorder.32 Iranian researchers reported the similar rate, i.e. 30%-40% in different groups of medical students (medicine, dentistry, health, midwifery, nursing, and other medical students) in various studies.25-33 The higher incidence of this disorder in the present study may be attributed to its specific group of participants. Students who participated in the previous studies were studying in all medical fields and in different educational years. In our study, only medical interns who completed their final years of education were evaluated. Starting job responsibilities during internship, acquiring skills, and learning while playing the role of a medical doctor at work can damage students' mental health status. Furthermore, the commitment to work for a long time (240 hours per month) with shift work and being awake at night or early in the morning should be considered as other possible factors influencing the current situation. Women had lower mental health score than men, which was statistically significant. Women are more likely to be exposed to mental diseases due to mental and emotional sensitivity.34
According to our findings dissatisfaction expressed by more than three quarters of students (80%) from the existing educational system. More precise plans are required to reduce the negative consequences of this pattern on the quality of education and students' productivity. Obviously, in this regard, the experience of other leading countries as well as scientific achievements will be useful. The results of this study suggested that the shift work had negative effects on personal, familial, and social relationships. Our results are consistent with those reported earlier.35 With increase of students' dissatisfaction with the shift work pattern, their satisfaction with personal, familial and social relationships has also decreased. Another study reported a positive significant relationship between satisfaction with work shift and personal or family relationships. In this study, the effect of work shift on women's individual characteristics was significantly higher than that of men.22 This seems to be due to women's physiological characteristics; they are more vulnerable and more affected by the environment.26
One of the strengths of this study was its focus on a medical intern who has received less attention so far. The weaknesses of the present study, although included small sample size and use of self-reporting questionnaire to record the information.
 
Conflict of interests
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgement
This article represented the findings of a dissertation conducted by a medical students and funded by Vice-Chancellor of Research and Technology of Babol University of Medical Sciences (No. 9542620). Thereby, the authors would like to appreciate all those who participated and helped in this study.
 
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Type of Study: Research | Subject: Special
Received: 2017/10/11 | Accepted: 2017/10/11 | Published: 2017/10/11
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