Kochi, Mar 27 (Representative) Sleep deprivation raises the risk of burdensome chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In the short term, it adversely impacts mental health, cognition and performance of medics, according to Disaster Mental Health Expert and advisor for National Mental Health Programme Dr Naresh Purohit. Addressing a webinar on “Sleep Deprivation in Healthcare Professionals” organised by the Kozhikode based Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHNS) on Sunday, Dr Naresh Purohit said sleep deprivation is the key contributor to serious performance deficiency in medics. Dr Purohit averred that the hospital itself and its barrage of stress can become a toxic place — a place actively causing harm.Sleep deprivation in healthcare professionals is a growing concern. The fatigue due to lack of sleep can cause healthcare workers to injure themselves at work or while driving back home in a drowsy condition at night, he added. “Lack of sleep causes mental and physical impairment similar to being intoxicated. Being awake for 24 hours straight is equivalent to having a blood alcohol content of 0.10 percent.” Noted neuroscientist Dr Purohit pointed that ample research data across the globe shows that sleep deprivation among medics increases the risk of medical error, car accidents, and compassion fatigue (tiredness caused due to being compassionate on a day-to-day basis). “Having poor sleep can impact a medic’s decision when attending emergencies. A person who works in the emergency department, in a high paced setting, must think critically within a short time to give the best care to patients. Such critical decisions require an optimally functioning brain. Quality sleep can greatly improve brain function,” he observed. Renowned physician said that a minimum of six to eight hours of sleep is required for individuals of any profession.
Health care workers have hectic working hours which impacts their physical and cognitive health. “If there is a sleep deficit of two hours each day, consecutively for 5 days the impact it has on cognitive ability is equivalent to a blood alcohol level of 0.0495%, with increased sleep deprivation worsening the effects. The permissible blood alcohol level is 0.03%. Hence, if healthcare workers are sleep deprived, they are risking the life of both the patient and themselves. Therefore, sleep hygiene is crucial for medical professionals.” he cautioned. He stated that doctors in India have increased workload and are at risk for poor sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness which have not been explored much. “Poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness are highly prevalent among the doctors, especially those who are lower in the hierarchy. Interventions for physical and psychological morbidity among the doctors and strict implementation of guidelines governing duty hours and call schedule of junior physicians are recommended,” he added. Experts in the webinar expressed concern that medical residents and interns work long hours navigating stressful clinical scenarios, leaving little time for personal pursuits. They sleep just for 4 to 2.19 hours on average on call nights. The problem is undoubtedly worse in surgical specialties, they said. Experts said sleep deprivation raises the risk of burdensome chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In the short term, it adversely impacts mental health, cognition and performance of medics. They pointed that the problem of sleep deprivation among healthcare workers doesn’t have a straightforward solution. “Medical care these days is more complex than it used to be some decades ago. The complexity of the system creates barriers when it comes to limiting working hours in a hospital. More than external factors, the system itself is a part of the problem,” they said.