engleski

Measurement of psychomotor performance of anesthesiologists during the 24-hours in-hospital call

Background and Goal of Study Anesthesiologists’ work along with extended duty shifts is combined with intensive stress (1). Moreover, anesthesia practice requires sustained vigilance, parallel decision-making, and fine motor skills. The aim of this study was to find out the impact of sleep deprivation, fatigue and stress on anesthesiologists’ psychomotor performances, measured by the CRD (Complex Reactionmeter Device), a computer based psychometric system, able to detect even discrete psychological and mental changes (2). Materials and Methods After the Medical Ethics Committee approval and informed consent, 27 staff anesthesiologists (35-55 yrs) were tested. A battery of 4 computer-generated cognitive psychological tests was used to record 2 parameters of cognitive performance: total test solving time (TTST – describing speed of reactions), and variability of reaction time (VRT-attention, alertness). Two tests were made during on call (8 am and 4 pm i.e. D8, D16), and two during the ordinary working day (8 am, 4 pm, i.e. WD8, WD16). ANOVA for repeated measures and LSD post-hoc test were used. Results and Discussions Tests Tasks D8 D16 WD8 WD16 p AO 35 TTST 141 37 141 35 118 28 113 21 <0, 001 VRT 53 18 65 17 49 11 43 9 0, 001 SV 35 TTST 49 10 50 11 45 7 44 5 <0, 001 VRT 17 4 17 4 14 4 15 4 0, 049 DLP 60 TTST 37 3 38 4 35 5 36 6 0, 117 VRT 10 3 11 2 10 3 12 4 0, 078 LAC 35 TTST 50 31 45 12 37 11 36 11 0, 059 VRT 25 16 25 10 20 9 19 11 0, 069 AO=arithmetic operation, SV=spatial visualization, DLP = discrimination of light position, LAC=leg and arm coordination ; results times given in seconds. Conclusions Comparing TTST and VRT, the test results were worse while on duty, implicating reduced speed of reaction, as well as attention and alertness. Anesthesiologists have impaired performance in cognitive complex reaction time tests during on call day, suggesting increased stress for an on call anesthesiologist, and this deserves further research. We consider CRD as a valuable tool for precise psychomotor testing.

anesthesiology; psychomotor performance

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