Night Shifts and Heavy Workloads Linked to Poor Sleep in Over Half of Indian Anaesthesiologists: Study
A recent cross-sectional questionnaire-based observational survey, published in the Indian Journal of Anaesthesia in September 2026, reveals that night shifts and heavy workloads leave over 60% of clinicians sleep-deprived (<7 hours nightly) and more than half with poor sleep quality. This severe occupational fatigue poses a critical threat to practitioner health and clinical performance.
Adequate sleep of at least 7 hours nightly is essential for physiological health and cognitive function, yet while international literature has established significant sleep disturbances among anaesthesiologists, a critical clinical gap remained regarding India's workforce of nearly 50,000 practitioners due to distinct workload structures. Addressing this evidence gap, Kapil Singhal and colleagues from the Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care at Metro Hospitals and Heart Institute in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India, aimed to assess the nationwide prevalence of poor sleep quality and short sleep duration along with their occupational and personal determinants.
Therefore, the nationwide survey evaluated 728 Indian anaesthesiologists using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess poor sleep prevalence (PSQI >5). Secondary endpoints evaluated short sleep duration (<7 hours) and identified independent risk factors using multivariable logistic regression.
Key Clinical Findings of the Study Include:
- Widespread Sleep Deficit: Survey-wise, 65.3% of respondents experienced short sleep duration (<7 hours per night) with a mean of 6.14±0.99 hours, while 50.9% suffered from poor sleep quality.
- Circadian Workload Impact: Investigation-wise, working >3 night shifts per month doubled the odds of poor sleep quality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16–3.46) compared to no night shifts, while >3 on-call duties monthly significantly increased short sleep risk (aOR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.14–2.81).
- Gender and Experience Disparities: Research-wise, female practitioners reported higher poor sleep rates than males (61.6% vs 42.6%; aOR = 0.50 for males), and early-career clinicians (≤5 years experience) faced greater risk compared to those with 6–10 years (aOR = 0.45).
- Clinical Setting Influence: Study-wise, dual responsibilities in both operating theaters and intensive care units (ICUs) increased poor sleep risk 1.62-fold compared to operating room work alone, whereas non-teaching government hospital roles lowered odds (aOR = 0.32) relative to freelancing.
- Lifestyle and Health Factors: Analysis-wise, sedentary behavior elevated poor sleep odds by 80% (aOR = 1.80) compared to high physical activity, with pre-existing sleep disorders emerging as the strongest overall predictor (aOR = 5.00).
The results suggest that poor sleep quality, affecting 50.9% of Indian anaesthesiologists, and short sleep duration, impacting 65.3%, stem from cumulative occupational circadian disruption, frequent night calls, and personal lifestyle stressors. These findings underscore that excessive duty hours and unmanaged workplace stress substantially heighten vulnerability among clinical specialists.
To support clinician well-being and protect patient safety, healthcare systems and practitioners should consider implementing structured duty rosters, enforcing designated rest periods following night duties, and incorporating fatigue-mitigation strategies alongside stress-management resources.
While the survey is limited by self-reported data and subjective stress assessments without objective physiological monitoring, it underscores the need for future prospective research into objective sleep tracking, digital device exposure, and formal fatigue intervention protocols.
Reference
Singhal K, Agrawal K, Thapa D. Sleep duration and quality among Indian anaesthesiologists: A nationwide cross-sectional survey. Indian J Anaesth. 2026;70:S203-S212.
