Evaluation of shift working among resident physicians from the perspective of social jetlag

In the provision of health services, resident physicians, who are in direct and intensive communication with patients in particular, assume one of the most active and critical roles in the system. However, due to the difficult working conditions and long and irregular shift hours that this important role brings, resident physicians may face the risk of social jetlag, which is defined as a chronic mismatch between the individual's internal biological clock and the external timing required by work and social life. For resident physicians, this situation often manifests itself in the form of night shifts, daytime work, and disrupted sleep-wake cycles even on free days. The effects of social jetlag on resident physicians are not only an individual health problem, but also among the critical issues that must be addressed seriously and resolved by health administrators in terms of the general functioning of the health system and patient safety. The aim of this study is to deeply examine the social jetlag phenomenon experienced by resident doctors as a result of shift work and the multidimensional effects of this situation. Qualitative research method and phenomenology design were used in the study. Face-to-face, in-depth interviews were conducted with resident doctors from different specialties to understand their social jetlag experiences and their reflections from their own perspectives. The research group consisted of 23 resident doctors working shifts. Participants were reached through criterion and snowball methods from purposeful sampling methods. Thematic analysis method was used in the analysis of data and MAXQDA 24 qualitative software program was used. As a result of the study, it was determined that social jetlag has wide effects on resident doctors. It was concluded that social jetlag profoundly affects the general health, psychological well-being, social adaptation and professional functioning of resident physicians and that resident physicians have developed various coping strategies for this situation. The findings strongly emphasize that resident physicians' working conditions and their struggle with social jetlag should be supported.