New ACGME Work-Hour Guidelines and Their Impact on Current Residency Training Practices

Objective Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has introduced new work-hour guidelines for residents in ACGME accredited programs that were implemented in July 2003. The new ACGME policies impact several practices in various psychiatry residency programs across the U.S., even though psychiatry has not been at the forefront of the debate regarding work hours. Methods The authors surveyed all psychiatry residency programs in the U.S. and identified several current practices that may infringe on the new ACGME work-hour guidelines. Conclusion Further interpretation of the new guidelines is needed.