Media Fridays - overwork worse than overtime?

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/18/doing-the-math-on-resident-work-hours/

The latest from UCLA surgeon Pauline Chen. Here's an excerpt:

"Health care trends over the last two decades have only exacerbated young doctors’ workload. Admissions to teaching hospitals increased nearly 50 percent from 1990 to 2010; in that same period, the number of doctors in training available to do the work increased by only 10 percent. And because insurers are pushing for shorter hospital stays, only the sickest patients, many of whom require complex care, remain hospitalized."

Hospital admissions increased by 50%, # of docs increased by 10%. That's a huge increase in workload. Dr. Chen's argument is that the hour work limits has not affected patient care or doctor mental health because doctors have compensated for the cut in hours with an increase in workload in those hours. 

So my question: Is the solution more doctors? More funding for residencies and less pay for attendings? Speculate away. 

see you on the other side,

from ken

enjoy sidenote in 140 characters or less @kensidenotelife.