ArticleCJEM2026
A lot on their plates? Examining the on-shift eating and drinking habits of Canadian emergency medicine physicians.
Article in CJEM, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Authors and funding
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Abstract
introductionEmergency medicine can involve irregular working hours and shiftwork with unpredictable down time, making adequate nutrition and hydration difficult to obtain. The objectives of this study were to examine: (a) the extent to which Canadian Emergency Medicine physicians eat and/or drink during shifts; (b) factors influencing these habits; and (c) the impact on them when they do not eat/drink. A secondary objective was to examine the impact of the number of practice years on the frequency of eating on-shift.
methodsA mixed-methods study of 16 closed- and 2 open-ended survey questions was created using REDCap. Canadian staff physicians and residents who identified as "Emergency Medicine Physicians" were targeted via email and social media. Analyses involved descriptive statistics, multivariable logistic regression, and inductive and summative content analyses.
resultsAmong 527 respondents, nearly 35% reported "never" or "hardly ever" eating during shifts and 36.6% reported "never" or "hardly ever" drinking water during shifts. Major barriers included lack of time (91.4%) and easily available food for purchase (35.9%). Open-ended responses reflected health reasons, mental clarity, and hospital culture as influencing factors. Years of practice were a significant predictor of eating "frequently" or "almost always" on shift [1.03 (95% CI 1.01-1.06)].
conclusionOver one-third of Canadian Emergency Medicine physicians in this study rarely or never eat or drink on shift. These nutrition and hydration habits of Emergency Medicine physicians require further study given their importance for physicians' physical and mental health, as well as patient care. The results of this study can influence conversations surrounding Emergency Medicine physicians' eating habits and ED culture, which could lead to improvements in overall wellness.
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