Assessing Hydration Patterns Among Surgical Resident Doctors During Duty Hours in a Tertiary Care Centre in South India
Keywords:
Hydration, dehydration, surgical resident doctors, fluid intake, duty hours, tertiary care centre, WHO guidelines, cognitive performance, barriers to hydration, South IndiaAbstract
Background: Proper hydration is essential for maintaining overall health and optimal physical and mental function. However, surgical residents often work long, demanding hours that limit their opportunities to drink enough fluids. This can lead to dehydration, which affects concentration, decision-making, and physical endurance—factors critical for safe and effective patient care. In India, where resident duty hours are often longer than international standards, the risk of dehydration is even higher. This study explores the hydration habits of surgical residents at a tertiary care hospital in South India, evaluating how their fluid intake compares to World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations and identifying common barriers to staying hydrated.
Methods: We conducted a six-month cross-sectional study using a structured questionnaire among 150 surgical residents. The survey assessed how often and how much water they drank, their awareness of WHO hydration guidelines, factors that influenced their fluid intake, and any dehydration symptoms they experienced. Based on their reported daily intake, residents were grouped into four hydration categories: poorly, moderately, adequately, and well-hydrated, according to WHO standards.
Results: Among the 150 respondents, 65% consumed less water than the WHO guidelines suggest. Around 70% reported symptoms of dehydration, including fatigue (55%), headaches (40%), and trouble concentrating (35%). The main reasons for poor hydration were heavy workloads (80%), lack of time for breaks (70%), and limited access to drinking water (50%). There was a statistically significant link between lower fluid intake and decreased performance at work (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Surgical residents in South India commonly face hydration challenges that can negatively impact their health and work efficiency. Addressing this issue requires institutional changes, such as improving access to water, scheduling hydration breaks, and promoting awareness about the importance of hydration in clinical settings. These measures are vital for protecting the well-being of resident doctors and ensuring high standards of patient care
Downloads
References
Kumar R. Workload and burnout among surgical residents in India. Indian J Surg. 2019;81(3):234–239. doi:10.1007/s12262-018-1902-7.
Sawka MN, Cheuvront SN, Carter R. Human water needs. Nutr Rev. 2005;63(6 Pt 2):S30-9. doi:10.1301/nr.2005.jun.S30-S39.
National Medical Commission. Duty hour guidelines for resident doctors. New Delhi: NMC; 2022. Available from: https://www.nmc.org.in/duty-hour-guidelines
Aggarwal R, Mytton OT, Derbrew M, et al. Training and simulation for patient safety. Qual Saf Health Care. 2010;19 Suppl 2:i34-43. doi:10.1136/qshc.2009.038562.
Adan A. Cognitive performance and dehydration. J Am Coll Nutr. 2012;31(2):71–78. doi:10.1080/07315724.2012.10720020.
Benton D, Burgess N. The effect of the consumption of water on the memory and attention of children. Appetite. 2009;53(3):143–146. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2009.06.005.
Patel S, Kumar A, Reddy KS. Hydration practices in tropical climates: A survey of healthcare workers. J Glob Health. 2021;11(2):87–94. doi:10.7189/jogh.11.02007.
Maughan RJ, Shirreffs SM. Development of hydration strategies to optimize performance. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2010;20 Suppl 2:59–69. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01183.x.
World Health Organization. Water requirements, impinging factors, & recommended intakes. Geneva: WHO; 2004. Available from: https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/nutrientschap3.pdf
Jha V, Singh A, Chaturvedi A. Challenges of surgical training in India. Indian J Surg. 2018;80(2):125–131. doi:10.1007/s12262-017-1766-3.
Sharma P, Singh H. Resident burnout in Indian medical education: Prevalence and prevention. J Postgrad Med Educ Res. 2020;54(4):196–201.
Rajput V, Goyal R, Singh D. Infrastructure and resources in Indian healthcare settings: A review. J Health Manag. 2017;19(3):319–326.
Das S, Roy A. Medical culture in India: Impacts on physician wellness and patient care. Indian J Med Ethics. 2020;5(3):199–205.
Ganio MS, Armstrong LE, Casa DJ, et al. Evidence-based approach to lingering hydration questions. Clin J Sport Med. 2011;21(4):375–382. doi:10.1097/JSM.0b013e318220fecf.
Indian Medical Association. Resident doctor welfare policies: 2023 update. IMA Bulletin. 2023;34(6):10–14.
Sharma R, Verma A, Singh N. Impact of hydration status on surgical resident performance: A prospective study. Indian J Surg. 2024;86(1):45–52.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
Terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
