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Revista Clínica de Medicina de Familia
On-line version ISSN 2386-8201Print version ISSN 1699-695X
Abstract
DIAZ-CAMPO GARCIA-CARPINTERO, Yolanda et al. Sleep quality in healthcare professionals in two health areas in Castilla-La Mancha. Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2008, vol.2, n.4, pp.156-161. ISSN 2386-8201.
Objective: To determine the characteristics of sleep patterns of primary health care professionals and their relation to continous medical attention and health care. Design: This is a multicenter, descriptive, cross-sectional study, consisting of a questionnaire completed by the participants. Setting: Toledo and Alcazar de San Juan health areas. Participants: General practitioners (GPs) and nurses. Main measurements: Sociodemographic, health care and characteristic sleep factors. Results: 281 professionals answered the questionnaire. Average age: 41.27 years (SD 8.76). 37.7% were men; 37.9% GPs; 72.2% were on duty. 31.7% reported that they have sleep disorders (CI 95% 26,65-38,46) irrespective of shift work, sex (31.6% men vs 31.2% women) or occupation (29.7% GPs vs 32.7% nurses). For 72.5% these sleep disorders influenced their daily activity and for 55.6% it influenced their behaviour. Of the professionals who were on duty, 18.8% took stimulants while doing shiftwork (there was no difference in sex or occupation) and 5.5% took sleeping pills, more GPs than nurses (10.7% vs 1.7%; X2 7.66; p<0.01). A total of 47.7% said that they have made errors when they come off duty, more GPs (65.1% vs 34.8%;X2 17.7, p<0.001) and men (57.8% vs 39.4% ; X2 6.63, p<0.05). A total of 29.6% had had an accident after a night shift. This was more frequent among nurses (21.2% vs 35%; X2 4.57; p<0.05). 76.1% admitted having a worse behaviour towards patients after having been on a shift. Conclusions: The prevalence of sleep disorders is similar to those of the general population. Shiftwork does not seem to increase these disorders, although they could be associated with a poorer quality of medical care and an increase of risk factors.
Keywords : Sleep Disorders; Health Occupations; Primary Health Care.