Abstract
Mean Work Ability Index in Polish doctors is high and does not decrease with age. There is little doubt that type of job is a key factor here. Other aspects may also play a part. This communicate concentrates on time-related issues: working hours and individual chronotype characteristics. Methods Analysis comprised 90 data sets: WAI, GHQ, EPI, Chronotype Questionnaire, fatigue, weekly working hours and night duties per month. Results There were no differences between WAI categories in working time, number of duties, extraversion, neuroticism, dimensions of chronotype. Both working time and number of nights were significantly age-related. Doctors over 60 years worked 30.8 h on average, while their young colleagues (30–39 years) 43.2 h. A tendency to withdraw from night work with advancing age was clear: four duties in 30–39 years, only one in the 60+ group. Four subgroups were distinguished by medians of “eveningness” and “distinctness” scales of Chronotype Questionnaire. “Strong-owls” differed significantly from others showing lower WAI, greater sleep need, higher neuroticism, more fatigue symptoms. Conclusions The configuration of chronotype dimensions influences a physician's work ability and well-being. Doctors seem to keep themselves fit up to retirement by diminishing their workload. Adjusting workload to individual needs and capabilities should be a rule.
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