Work Hours Policy

To address the time commitment required of medical students during clinical rotations and taking into account the effects of fatigue and sleep deprivation on learning, clinical activities, student health and safety, and patient safety, the College of Medicine has adopted the following policy.

• Duty hours will be limited to 80 hours per week averaged over a four-week period, inclusive of all in-house call and patient care activities.
• Continuous on-site duty, including in-house call, will not exceed 28 consecutive hours, which should be 24 hours of call plus 4 hours for continuity of care and handover.
• Students may remain on duty additional hours to participate in transferring care of patients, conducting outpatient clinics, maintaining continuity of medical and surgical care, and attending required didactic activities.
• Students should be provided with a 10 hour period after in-house call during which they are free from all patient care activities.
• Students may not take overnight call any more frequently than on day in three averaged over a four-week period.
• For students participating in night shifts or night float, shifts should not exceed 16 hours and students must have a minimum of 10 hours off in between night shifts.
• Students will be provided with one day in seven free from all educational and clinical responsibilities, averaged over a rotation, inclusive of call. One day is defined as one continuous 24-hour period free from all clinical, didactic, and administrative activities.