Graduate medical education after 80-hour limitation: Less time to learn more, is it happening

The researcher investigated the impact of the 80-hour workweek limitation on the educational preparedness of surgical residents and the level of their knowledge as measured by members of the cognitive American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE). Data was generated from surgical residents' scores on the ABSITE, and was used to determine the effectiveness of the newly imposed Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education 80-hour workweek, which has significantly limited the amount of time surgical residents have to acquire their medical knowledge. The research correlation study was used to compare and contrast the test scores of surgical residents before and after the 80-hour limitation on work-duty hours. The value of the current study is that the findings support the idea that after the reduction in duty hours was introduced, there was a reduction in test scores of surgical residents indicating that less medical and clinical knowledge and skills were learned or taught.