Researchers conducted the study at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. They polled internal medicine and subspecialty house staff and program directors via an anonymous electronic survey between April 23 and June 15, 2018. Forty-nine percent of 200 house staff members and 59 percent of 39 program directors participated in the survey.
Researchers found:
• Fifty-four percent of trainees and 26 percent of program leaders reported working while sick with flu-like illness in the past year.
• More than 90 percent of trainees and program leaders reported that working while sick with flu-like illness places others at risk.
• However, only 9 percent of program leaders accurately estimated the prevalence of trainees working while sick.
Both trainees and program directors cited “not wanting to burden colleagues” as the top reason for working while sick with flu-like illness. Additionally, most trainees did not correctly answer flu knowledge questions.
More articles on healthcare quality:
Physicians ‘terrorized into silence’ by anti-vaccine groups online
10 hospitals, health systems hiring CMIOs
Undiagnosed, untreated HIV patients responsible for 81% of new transmissions
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.