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Studies of Fatigue and Human Performance in the Field

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Fatigue Management

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Abstract

Inquiry into fatigue and human performance in the field explore the mechanisms through which performance declines in individuals and groups consequent to fatiguing influences including sleep loss and the circadian timing of sleep. These studies generally examine real-life changes in the industries of transportation and emergency work in order to determine how fatigue is manifested in these environments.

In earlier chapters, definitions and classifications of fatigue have been discussed. This chapter will review ways in which the effects of fatigue, one of the major mediators of which is sleepiness, sleep loss, and inappropriate timing of sleep, have been demonstrated in the field. Concepts of fatigue vary greatly from field to field. In the nursing field, “compassion fatigue” is one of the most prominent areas of research, while “burnout” is caused by work hours alone, and patient volume is a greater focus in research on medical residents and staff.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuropsychology, TIRR Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Network, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Mary Rose PsyD

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  1. Mary Rose PsyD
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA

    Amir Sharafkhaneh

  2. Division of Public Mental Health and Population Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA

    Max Hirshkowitz

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Rose, M. (2018). Studies of Fatigue and Human Performance in the Field. In: Sharafkhaneh, A., Hirshkowitz, M. (eds) Fatigue Management. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-8607-1_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-8607-1_4

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-8605-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-8607-1

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