Background: Qualitative data on the opinions of anaesthesiologists regarding the impact of peri-operative night-time working conditions on patient safety are lacking.
Objectives: This study aimed to achieve in-depth understanding of anaesthesiologists' perceptions regarding the impact of night-time working conditions on peri-operative patient safety and actions that may be undertaken to mitigate perceived risks.
Design: Qualitative analysis of responses to two open-ended questions.
Setting: Online platform questionnaire promoted by the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC).
Participants: The survey sample consisted of an international cohort of anaesthesiologists.
Main outcome measures: We identified and classified recurrent themes in the responses to questions addressing perceptions regarding (Q1) peri-operative night-time working conditions, which may affect patient safety and (Q2) potential solutions.
Results: We analysed 2112 and 2113 responses to Q1 and Q2, respectively. The most frequently reported themes in relation to Q1 were a perceived reduction in professional performance accompanied by concerns regarding the possible consequences of work with...