Policy of the Graduate Medical Education Committee

Section: Resident Supervision/Work Environment

Subject: Supervision and Fatigue Management

Number: 3.100

Date Developed:  1/89

Last Review/Revision: 2/05, 10/07, 7/10, 1/2011

Replaces: previous policy titled Resident Supervision, dated 10/2007

ACGME Requirements: Institutional IIIB4; Common VI.C & VID.1-6

Purpose

To delineate guidelines for supervision and fatigue management.

Policy

Each Program shall develop a policy on guidelines for supervision and fatigue management.   Through the internal review process, the GMEC reviews the written policy, monitors programs’ supervision of residents, and ensures fatigue management is addressed.

The expectations for a faculty member acting in a supervisory role will follow the College of Medicine Code of Professional Conduct.

Supervision

·         Supervision must be consistent with safe and effective patient care, and the applicable accreditation Program Requirements. 

·         The identity of the attending physician will be readily available to residents, faculty members and patients.  Common Req. VI.D.1. & VI.D.1.a)

·         Program Director and faculty will delegate progressive responsibility and the privilege of a supervisory role for each resident through the promotion process.  Common Req  VI.D.4.

·         Each training program must provide appropriate supervision and communication appropriate to the individual trainee’s level of education, competence and experience.  Common Req  VI.D.2.

·         Supervising physician assignments should be of sufficient duration to assess knowledge and skills of each resident. Common Req  VI.D.6.

·         Delineation of resident responsibilities for patient care, progressive responsibility for patient management, and supervision of residents over the continuum of the program are part of the program’s written curriculum.  Common Req. IV.A.4.

·         Supervising physicians should delegate to the resident the appropriate level of authority and responsibility for patient care based on the needs of the patient and the skills of the resident. Common Req  VI.D.4.b).

·         Programs must set guidelines for circumstances or events in which residents must communicate with the appropriate supervising faculty. Common Req  VI.D.5.

Fatigue Management

Each training program must educate residents and faculty to recognize the signs of fatigue and sleep deprivation, and adopt fatigue mitigation processes such as napping, adjusting schedules, or back up support systems.   Common Req  VI.C.