The impact of 'sleeping night shifts' on veterinary clinical staff's cognitive performance and fine motor skills

Lack of sleep can affect concentration and reaction times. This study investigates the effect of working emergency on-call shifts on the cognitive function and motor skills of veterinary professionals, using a cross-sectional experimental design. This pilot testing battery based on the Bruininks Motor Ability Test and the CANTAB cognitive safety phase 1 battery was used on participating veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses after every night shift in a four-week period using a cross-sectional experimental design. Significant differences were demonstrated in multiple cognitive functions, motor skills and reaction time between those who lost little sleep and those who lost lots of sleep. The study was conducted in a single practice, with a small sample size and within a short time-frame which limits the conclusions that can be drawn however it still demonstrates proof of concept and forms a basis from which further studies can be created to confirm reliability of results. The study demonstrates that veterinary professionals suffer the same detrimental effects of out-of-hours shifts as their human medical counterparts and suggests that steps need to be taken to prevent this affecting staff welfare and patient outcome. The study also allows for discussions around further use and adaptation of battery testing to help support these findings. Practice managers, vets and nurses within leadership roles can use this to focus on staff scheduling, allowing proper rest periods and potentially could be one step to help improve the welfare and retention of staff. The pilot study has helped raise the similarities between veterinary and human professionals and demonstrates the need for further exploration of this topic.