My long-time Emergency department colleagues collectively called the anxiety and anticipation about having to perform perfectly on the next shift "Getting the Dread On". This implied that the worry about the stresses of the next stint could begin any time from when the last shift ended. The definition of dread is great fear or apprehension. Common synonyms include fear, apprehension, trepidation, anxiety, worry concern unease, angst- you get the picture.
After reading these descriptions, one would wonder why anybody would work at this job. We'll save that for a another blog.
Some shift work health consequences include:
- Sleep disorders
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Headaches
- Ischemic heart disease
- Fatigue
- Stress
- Poor appetite control
- Substance abuse
- Problems with medications
- Problems with interpersonal relationships
The biggest fear is making mistakes leading to poor patient outcomes. This coupled with volume and performance pressures, patient satisfaction scores, the ever-looming threat of malpractice suits, and chronic self-doubt can immobilize an individual.
It is probably time to retire or find a less stressful career than Emergency Medicine if getting the dread on is a recurring theme in your life. Fortunately, most people learn to deal with the stresses and overwhelmingly positive side to the job, and they soldier on!
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