The AMA (Australian Medical Association) is welcoming a move to introduce Metronap Sleep Pods within local hospitals. The move is an effort to provide physicians the opportunity to take small naps when they are working extended shifts within a hospital.
According to AMA’s Shane George, “There’s some data from the sleep research centre in South Australia that suggests having a 10-20 minute nap can actually increase the alertness of the doctor and actually reduce fatigue related risk and allow them to work for longer.”
There is of course opposition to this move, especially considering that each Metronap Sleep Pod will cost about $10,000 and the thought is the money could be spent better elsewhere.
I can see both sides of the issue and hope they figure out an alternative that works for everyone. For me, at $10,000 a pop, I do agree that it seems a bit on the expensive side, unless these units that fit over the head of the wearer can also offer perms, in which case, when not in use by physicians, it could be used for an alternative purpose to recoup some of the cost.
Source: WooHome
