Support the fact-based journalism you rely on with a donation to Marketplace today. Give Now!

Is it OK for first-year doctors to work 28 hours? New rule says it's fine

Aug 31, 2017
First-year medical residents can now work up to 28-hour shifts, which some say can lead to fatigue and mistakes. But senior doctors argue that limiting the length of a shift would compromise resident education and patient care.
Dr. Josie Valenzuela, now a fourth year resident at the University of Arizona, uses a microscope for examining the eye. She disagrees with a new rule that allows first year residents to work up to 28 hours in a row.
Georgia Baumann/University of Arizona