Punching the 48 Hour Clock by Brandon Macias Fatigued resident doctors are common in hospitals, but patients expect them to perform at their peak, even at the end of a 48-hour shift.
Resident doctors are physicians in training, who gain clinical experience as they treat patients.
A typical residency program lasts about five years, depending on the specialty. In the United States, residents must often work long hours, about 120-130 hours per week, approximately 17 hours per day. Many would agree that the residents' lack of sleep and food directly affects their ability to perform. San Diego Medical Center. Many worry about fatigued residents because of their susceptibility to mistakes.