Seven in 10 NHS shift workers in Oxford study screen positive for shift work disorder
Staff at two hospital trusts who met the criteria were more likely to show signs of depression and anxiety, and very few had been given help with their sleep.
Seven in 10 NHS shift workers who took part in a University of Oxford survey met the screening criteria for probable shift work disorder, a sleep condition linked to working when the body expects to be asleep.
The study, published in the journal BMJ Open on Thursday night, questioned staff at two large NHS foundation trusts in England, one in London and one in the East Midlands. Registered nurses made up the biggest group.
Depression, anxiety and little support
People who screened positive reported a poorer quality of life and more difficulty at work and with everyday activities. Once the researchers had allowed for demographic and shift-related factors, this group had more than four times the odds of screening positive for possible depression, and more than three times the odds for possible anxiety.
Of the 315 participants with probable shift work disorder, 90% had already tried something to sleep better or stay alert at work, most often caffeine or naps. But 91% of them had not had any support for their sleep problems. Busy schedules, long waits for appointments and not knowing what help existed were the barriers mentioned most often.
Limits of the survey
The survey was voluntary and was aimed at people with sleep problems, so the researchers say it cannot show how common the disorder is across the whole NHS workforce. It also used a questionnaire rather than a clinical diagnosis, and it captured a single point in time, which means it shows links rather than proving that shift work caused the problems. Independent experts made the same points about the sample when the study came out.
Calls for screening
The team, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, wants screening for the condition built into occupational health checks, along with training so managers can spot staff who are struggling and clearer routes to treatment. Lead researcher Dr Priya Sugavanam has said that cutting out shifts is not realistic, because round-the-clock care depends on them.
The Royal College of Nursing has called on employers to design safer rotas, make sure staff get proper breaks and allow enough time to recover between shifts.
