Weekend effect

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Weekend effect

The Weekend effect (pronunciation: /ˈwiːkˌɛnd ɪˈfɛkt/) is a phenomenon observed in medical research where patient outcomes are reportedly worse during weekends compared to weekdays.

Etymology

The term "Weekend effect" is derived from the English words "weekend", referring to the period from Friday evening through Sunday evening, and "effect", meaning a change that is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.

Definition

The Weekend effect refers to the statistical trend of higher mortality and adverse outcomes for patients admitted to hospitals during the weekend, compared to those admitted on a weekday. This is often attributed to reduced staffing levels, less experienced staff, and fewer available services during the weekend.

Related Terms

  • Mortality rate: The measure of the number of deaths in a particular population, scaled to the size of that population, per unit of time.
  • Hospital: An institution providing medical and surgical treatment and nursing care for sick or injured people.
  • Healthcare staffing: The process of recruiting and retaining qualified healthcare professionals in healthcare facilities.
  • Patient outcome: A health state of a patient resulting from healthcare.

Research

Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the Weekend effect. Some studies have found a significant increase in mortality for patients admitted during the weekend, while others have found no significant difference. The reasons for these discrepancies are not fully understood and are the subject of ongoing research.

Controversies

The existence and extent of the Weekend effect are subjects of ongoing debate. Some researchers argue that the effect is a result of reduced staffing and services during the weekend, while others suggest that it may be due to differences in the types of patients admitted on weekends.

See also

External links

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