Does the Implementation of European Working Time Directive (EWTD) Have an Effect on Surgical Training in a Flemish Teaching Hospital Network ?

Background : Surgical residents used to work many hours. The European working time directive (EWTD) 2003/88/EG was created to protect young doctors from working too many hours. EWTD was implemented in Belgium on February 1st 2011. A decrease in working hours and improvement of surgical education was expected. Methods : Every resident was requested by the Faculty of Medicine to answer an ACC (Activities Coaching Context) questionnaire about his/her teaching hospital. The answers of surgical residents in all teaching hospitals, during the academic years before, during and after the implementation of the EWTD were used. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 20. Results : Since implementation we noted a significant decrease in mean daily working time (MDWT) (p