Anesthesiologists are more likely than other physicians to support capping work hours for surgeons and others delivering care in the operating room, according to a Medscape poll.
Medscape asked 3,062 respondents whether surgeons' hours should be capped to reduce harmful mistakes. Here's how anesthesiologists responded compared to other specialties:
Yes
Anesthesiologists: 75 percent
Internal medicine: 65 percent
Orthopedic surgery: 54 percent
General surgery: 58 percent
No
Anesthesiologists: 16 percent
Internal medicine: 27 percent
Orthopedic surgery: 37 percent
General surgery: 33 percent
Unsure
Anesthesiologists: 9 percent
Internal medicine: 8 percent
Orthopedic surgery: 9 percent
General surgery: 9 percent
They were also asked whether the hours should be capped for other professionals besides surgeons working in the OR, such as nurses and anesthesiologists. Here are the results:
Yes
Anesthesiologists: 74 percent
Internal medicine: 69 percent
Orthopedic surgery: 58 percent
General surgery: 63 percent
No
Anesthesiologists: 17 percent
Internal medicine: 24 percent
Orthopedic surgery: 33 percent
General surgery: 28 percent
Unsure
Anesthesiologists: 9 percent
Internal medicine: 6 percent
Orthopedic surgery: 9 percent
General surgery: 9 percent