In healthcare companies, shiftwork organization is fundamental to ensure continuous 24-h patient care. This chapter gives an overview of health-related problems associated with shift work and the preventative actions that can be taken to protect workers’ health and well-being. Shift work, in particular night work, results in a disruption of biological circadian rhythms with serious social and psychophysical ramifications for the worker. The adverse health effects of shift work can be both in the short-term (sleep, digestive, mental, and menstrual disorders) and in the medium- to long-term (increased gastrointestinal, neuropsychic, metabolic, and cardiovascular diseases). In 2007, the IARC classified shift work as “probable carcinogen” for humans due to the destructive effects on the circadian rhythm. The modification of the sleep/wake cycle also negatively influences worker’s vigilance and performance (“jet-lag syndrome”) leading to a consequently greater risk of accidents and errors. Shift work can be harmful to the safety of both the worker and the patient. Appropriate shift scheduling that respects ergonomic criteria is important to protect worker and patient health and well-being. Medical residents should be conscious of the legislation and rights regarding shift work to ensure they provide appropriate assistance to patients and to preserve their own social and psychophysical well-being.
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