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Working ER shifts can be challenging, especially for those who work swing shifts and excessive night shifts. Fortunately, you can optimize your ER experience by making a few lifestyle changes and through emergency room scheduling that gives you control over your life-work balance.
Lifestyle Tips to Get the Most Out of Shift Scheduling
Diet
It’s so tempting to eat snacks and comfort foods when working the night shift or swing shifts. In fact, a 2023 Australian systematic review and meta-analysis found that rotating shift workers consume more calories than day workers; they also consume more junk food and fewer fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, poor nutrition can cause you to feel sluggish, moody, and sleepy throughout your shift.To make the most of your shift, try the following dietary changes:
• Choose foods low on the glycemic index (GI), such as non-starchy vegetables and whole grains, which provide energy throughout your shift
• Boosting your protein intake before your shift
• Use the 3-3-3 rule, in which you eat three balanced meals a day, drink three bottles of water (or 1.5 to 2 liters) daily, and engage in three hours of exercise per day
• Consume caffeine in moderation and at the right time of day
Comfort
Dress comfortably for your shift. Invest in shoes that offer cushioning, slip resistance, and easy cleaning. Compression socks can promote venous blood flow, ease leg fatigue, and prevent leg swelling through long shifts.
Sleep
Sleep can be elusive for ER physicians. Key strategies for getting enough sleep include:
• Anchor sleep in which you schedule a 4-hour block for sleep every day, whether you work or not that day
• Try sleeping for 4 hours as soon as you get home, rather than sleeping all day
• Optimize sleep quality by creating a “sleep sanctuary,” which is a cool, dark room that is only used for sleep and intimacy
Efficiency and Workflow Improvements for the Best Physician Scheduling
Managing your time on the job is essential. To optimize your time, perform multiple tasks, such as talking about lab results and prescribing medications, in one visit to the patient’s room. Complete your notes as soon as possible after each patient encounter.
Get a head start on tests. Order labs and radiology immediately after visiting the patient for the first time, or even based on triage notes. Become an expert in navigating the electronic health record system to order tests and find results fast.
Taking control over your schedule is also important. When possible, look for emergency departments that use online scheduling software for emergency medicine scheduling. These physician scheduling platforms allow ER physicians to manage availability, swap shifts, request time off, and view available shifts.
ByteBloc emergency room scheduling software can help ER doctors make the most of physician scheduling. Founded by an emergency physician more than 30 years ago, ByteBloc software helps doctors working in emergency departments in all 50 states, Canada, and many other countries around the world. To learn more about ER scheduling software to reduce burnout among emergency room physicians, contact ByteBloc.
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