This survey estimates the prevalence of disability among medical residents to be 7.5%. Findings suggest an association between lack of accessibility through accommodations and increased risk for depression and self-reported medical errors during training.

This systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 studies with a valid measure of physician (n=21,517) depressive symptoms found that physicians who screened positive for depression were associated with medical errors.  The authors also conducted a meta-analysis of 7 longitudinal studies, which revealed there was a bidirectional association between physician symptoms of depression and medical errors. This finding implies that physicians that screen positive for depressive symptoms have a higher risk for medical errors. The authors recommend that future studies need to focus on whether interventions to reduce physician depressive symptoms could play a role in reducing medical errors and improving safe patient care.

The 2011 duty hour regulations for resident physicians were controversial as soon as they were announced, and initial survey data revealed considerable dissatisfaction among both residents and residency program directors. This longitudinal cohort study surveyed interns working before and after the 2011 regulations and found that, although interns worked slightly less after the new regulations were implemented, they did not sleep more and were no less likely to report symptoms of depression. Most concerningly, self-reported medical errors increased significantly. The study corroborates prior studies conducted after the earlier (2003) duty hour regulations and illustrates how unintended consequences can result when rigid rules are applied within a complex adaptive system.