iSleepFirst: burnout, fatigue, and wearable-tracked sleep deprivation among residents staffing the medical intensive care unit

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between sleep, burnout, and psychomotor vigilance in residents working in the medical intensive care unit (ICU). Methods A prospective cohort study of residents was implemented during a consecutive 4-week. Residents were recruited to wear a sleep tracker for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks during their medical ICU rotation. Data collected included wearable-tracked sleep minutes, Oldenburg burnout inventory (OBI) score, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), psychomotor vigilance testing, and American Academy of Sleep Medicine sleep diary. The primary outcome was sleep duration tracked by the wearable. The secondary outcomes were burnout, psychomotor vigilance (PVT), and perceived sleepiness. Results A total of 40 residents completed the study. The age range was 26–34 years with 19 males. Total sleep minutes measured by the wearable decreased from 402 min (95% CI: 377–427) before ICU to 389 (95% CI: 360–418) during ICU ( p < 0.05). Residents overestimated sleep, logging 464 min (95% CI: 452–476) before and 442 (95% CI: 430–454) during ICU. ESS scores increased from 5.93 (95% CI: 4.89, 7.07) to 8.33 (95% CI: 7.09,9.58) during ICU ( p < 0.001). OBI scores increased from 34.5 (95% CI: 32.9–36.2) to 42.8 (95% CI: 40.7–45.0) ( p < 0.001). PVT scores worsened with increased reaction time while on ICU rotation (348.5 ms pre-ICU, 370.9 ms post-ICU, p < 0.001). Conclusions Resident ICU rotations are associated with decreased objective sleep and self-reported sleep. Residents overestimate sleep duration. Burnout and sleepiness increase and associated PVT scores worsen while working in the ICU. Institutions should ensure resident sleep and wellness checks during ICU rotation.