A guide to medical etiquette: effective daytime sleeping

Most medical students lead busy lives. Sometimes working in the ward all day and studying during the night can mean you don't get all the sleep you need. If, like me, you also delay handing in assessments in order to allow time for all possible research to be published, you can be up all night writing.

Sleep, however, is very important. So, if you can't get it at night, you have to catch a few ZZZs during the day. But this can lead to stigma and rumours about laziness. To avoid this very problem I have developed a guide to effective daytime sleeping. It involves preventing yourself being caught, and damage limitation in case you are. Reorganising your life would be far too simple.

Prevention

It is usually acceptable to sleep when travelling. On the bus or train, a small alarm clock can wake you at the right time. Alternatively, sit in a seat obstructing someone who you know gets off at your stop.

However, you should not sleep when driving a car or walking. The potential health benefits of catching up on some shut-eye are outweighed by the risk of death or sudden injury.

Libraries, on the other hand, are excellent places for sleeping. There is probably a quiet spot where you can hide a pillow and a small blanket for optimum comfort and to prevent hypothermia if you stay overnight by mistake. If no pillow is available a large springy paperback will do.

Never sleep in an operating theatre, on a ward round, or when taking blood. You will almost certainly be detected.

Damage limitation

If you are caught napping there are two approaches: either make an excuse or brazen it out. If going for the former, never say you are resting your eyes. The exception is when you happen to have cucumber slices or cold teabags on you. Instead claim to have been thinking great thoughts. Stay vague, however, in case you are asked what those thoughts are.

So enjoy your daytime napping, with this guide providing new security. However, if you find yourself continually waking up dribbling with a numb arm, try some early nights.

David McAllister, intercalated medical student, University of Glasgow
Email: 960715m@student.gla.ac.uk


studentBMJ 2000;08:303-346 September ISSN 0966-6494