Sleep Hygiene Pattern in Medical Residents

Medical residents have a crucial role in the development of the healthcare system and medical services. This study aimed to determine the quality of life, job satisfaction, and sleep hygiene pattern of the medical residents of various specialties working in teaching centers affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, before and after the beginning of the residency period.

This cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical study with a convenience sampling method assessed 162 medical residents who filled out the research questionnaires twice during a six-month period from September 2018 to March 2018. The required data were collected using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment, Job Satisfaction Questionnaire, and Sleep Hygiene Index.

The results of the study revealed that the quality of life (P=0.000), job satisfaction (P=0.000), and sleep hygiene pattern (P=0.000) significantly decreased in medical residents six months after starting the residency program. Quality of life was found to be lower in men than in women (P=0.000); however, in the field of specialty, no significant difference was found in terms of the relevant variables six months after starting the residency period (P>0.05). Furthermore, having more than 15 shifts per month was significantly related to decreased quality of life in medical residents (P=0.01).

Considering the results of the present study, there is a necessity to provide programs in medical universities to improve the quality of life, job satisfaction, and sleep hygiene pattern among medical residents during their academic period.