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After a Mexican blog posted a picture of a medical student sleeping behind a desk at a hospital in Monterrey, Mexico, and attacked her for not doing her job. Doctors around the world leaped to the defense of this medical schooling victim by posting pictures of themselves caught sleeping at work during some of their most grueling shifts. These images are going viral under the hashtag #YoTambienMeDormi (“I've also fallen asleep” in Spanish). Mind you, not only working as a doctor is a particularly demanding job, but they also have to undergo laborious medical studies, often asking the aspiring doctor to live the student life for up to 7 years.

In the 1980s, a high-profile case involving the death of a girl named Libby Zion at a hospital staffed by exhausted doctors led to the drafting of the Libby Zion Law. This law limits NY physicians' work hours per week to “only” 80, showing just how overworked some of our doctors are. Comparing that to the usual 40 working hours per week and doing the math, it seems like the doctors, who are so often responsible for people's lives, have to work practically without any rest or sleep.

More info: BBC

A blogger snapped these pics of a sleeping resident in Mexico at 3 a.m.

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The writer criticized the young resident, saying that "doctors are obliged to do their work"

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There were "dozens of patients who need care," the blogger continued

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Mexican doctor Juan Carlos responded by posting a tweet with the hashtag #YoTambienMeDormi (or “I've also fallen asleep”)

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Image credits: Equador TV

Soon, hundreds of other doctors began defending the resident

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Image credits: Paola Ferez

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Image credits: Caro Leyva

Doctors around the world are often severely overworked

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Image credits: Melita Way

Some doctors work 36-hour shifts or 80-hour work weeks!

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Image credits: Ana Sofia

"We are people, not machines"

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Image credits: Paola Ferez

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Image credits: Janna Henriquez

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Image credits: Paul Alexandru

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Image credits: Projecto Diez

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Image credits: Ernesto Franjul

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Image credits: Sebastian Alzate

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Image credits: Euge Traverso Vior

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Image credits: Sebastian Alzate

Add your own pictures of doctors napping below!

#1

After A 24 Hour Day Of Duty

After A 24 Hour Day Of Duty

Nina Report

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    #2

    Tired After 36 Hours Of No Sleep

    Tired After 36 Hours Of No Sleep

    KG Report

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    JanicePullen
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish I had pictures of me in full chemical warfare gear, snoring through a gas mask, under a desk. Awaiting triage patients.

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    #3

    I Am Also Sleeping

    I Am Also Sleeping

    Mechi Fiu Report

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    ChristyCummings
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As long as they don't fall asleep during a procedure they need to sleep when & where they can

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    #4

    After First Successful Heart Transplant In Poland

    After First Successful Heart Transplant In Poland

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    NaceKovacic
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where are the limits of overtime. Figures are for my clothing judging in the main operator's assistants and teams of anesthesia and intensive care nurses while waiting for on its share in surgery or intensive therapy. Pictures do not show anything during this part of work of surgeon operator, which is generally similar burdened, but must complete the operation!

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    DominikaŚliwińska
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is 5th of november 1989, after first succesfull heart transpant in Poland. The picture shows Zbigniew Religa, the doctor who did it while he was sitting by the patien's bed after surgery.

    SofiaAbella
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this is the best one so far. It makes you feel how completely exhausted and relieved they are

    RachelSilva
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a phenomenal well-known image capturing the hard work physicians provide as healthcare providers, and taking turns resting and recharging for the next crisis.

    KrzysiekNowicki
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a photo of cardiosurgeon Prof. Zygmunt Religa (sitting next to patient ) after first heart transplantation in Poland in 1985. The operation lasted 23 hours. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zbigniew_Religa

    Eleanor Orser
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OR looks really basic. Still, these doctors, nurses, techs pulled it off and gave it there all.

    Xiomara Colato
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dios los bendiga. Atodos . Los doctores. Que. Acen posible. Una segunda oportunidad. A pacientes. Moribundos. ...

    ChrisHouck
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This did not happen in Poland. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Shumway

    BartoszBorstern
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not first in the world, but first hearth transplantation inpoland. This is famous pic, operator was prof zbigniew religa.

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    #5

    Only Those Who Are Doctors Understand This

    Only Those Who Are Doctors Understand This

    Yveth Palomino Report

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    DianaParker
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a nurse I see how hard our Dr.s work and the long hours. They are entitled to rest to be on top of their game when needed...shame on the

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    #6

    I Am Also Sleeping

    I Am Also Sleeping

    Marina Cameron Report

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    JunkaMihova
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think the blogger should admire the medical resident of resting at work, not going home, in order to be available, instead of criticizing

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    #7

    Inside The Ambulance Returning To Base Camp After A Succesful Management Of A Cardiac Arrest...

    Inside The Ambulance Returning To Base Camp After A Succesful Management Of A Cardiac Arrest...

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    #8

    Same In France !

    Same In France !

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    MaryCollins
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My Sister is an ER Nurse and she has worked well past her shift many times. F877K that blogger!

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    #9

    Let Tired Doctors Rest. They're People Too.

    Let Tired Doctors Rest. They're People Too.

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    #10

    2am Nap

    2am Nap

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    #11

    After A Hard Birth :) Midwife Sleeping :))

    After A Hard Birth :) Midwife Sleeping :))

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    #13

    Taking A Nap After 40 Hours Duty. Georgia

    Taking A Nap After 40 Hours Duty. Georgia

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    #14

    Sleeping At 10am

    Sleeping At 10am

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    #15

    We Aren't Robots, Or Machines We Feel Just As Everyone Else Does.

    We Aren't Robots, Or Machines We Feel Just As Everyone Else Does.

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    SianaeByles
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like this one, makes you think about how not only do they ALL work long hours but they can also be called in randomly from resting at home

    #16

    Purposely Looked At Images In A Lit Room To Try To Avoid This But Still Fell Asleep.

    Purposely Looked At Images In A Lit Room To Try To Avoid This But Still Fell Asleep.

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    #18

    :)

    :)

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    #19

    Israel

    Israel

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    #21

    We Take Naps To Reenergize

    We Take Naps To Reenergize

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    #22

    Nghe An 2014, Operation Smile

    Nghe An 2014, Operation Smile

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    #23

    Zzz

    Zzz

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    #25

    Even Dr. Ken Needs A Break.... @ New Orleans Podiatry Associates

    Even Dr. Ken Needs A Break.... @ New Orleans Podiatry Associates

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    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even Dr Ken needs a break.. # Working hard @New Orleans Podiatry Associates.

    #26

    S/p - Sitting Position

    S/p - Sitting Position

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    #27

    Right Lateral Decubitus Position

    Right Lateral Decubitus Position

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    RachelKunde
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Catching some zzz's is the honorable thing to do, rather than pushing oneself beyond the point of exhaustion while caring for other people

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    #28

    Night Before Exam...

    Night Before Exam...

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    #29

    I Am Not A Machine

    I Am Not A Machine

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    #30

    #medlife

    #medlife

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    #31

    My Son's Friend Energizing...

    My Son's Friend Energizing...

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    #33

    If A Resident Never Fell Asleep, Does Not Deserve To Be A Doctor

    If A Resident Never Fell Asleep, Does Not Deserve To Be A Doctor

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    #34

    We Are Human, Too.

    We Are Human, Too.

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    #35

    Can't Help It...at A Lecture In Medical School From The Philippines.

    Can't Help It...at A Lecture In Medical School From The Philippines.

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    #36

    #yotambienmedormi

    #yotambienmedormi

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    #37

    Before Sunrise !...getting Ready For Morning Presentation

    Before Sunrise !...getting Ready For Morning Presentation

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    #38

    Anywhere Would Do.

    Anywhere Would Do.

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    #39

    Zzzz

    Zzzz

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    #40

    After A Hard Day

    After A Hard Day

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    #41

    Fell Asleep Smack In The Middle Of Post Call Rounds Circa 2011

    Fell Asleep Smack In The Middle Of Post Call Rounds Circa 2011

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    #42

    We Do This For You Health...certainly Not For Ours.

    We Do This For You Health...certainly Not For Ours.

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    #43

    Three Straight Surgeries.

    Three Straight Surgeries.

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    #44

    Even Student Nurses...

    Even Student Nurses...

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    WhiteFox
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    how do they all manage to fall asleep like that especially the girl in the far left corner

    #45

    Even Dentistry Students Need A Break.

    Even Dentistry Students Need A Break.

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    #46

    14 Hours No Ac Working A Dental Mission In The Dominican Republic. #yotambienmedormi

    14 Hours No Ac Working A Dental Mission In The Dominican Republic. #yotambienmedormi

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    #47

    At Least She Gets To Look Sexy While Trying To Get Some Sleep #yotambienmedormi

    At Least She Gets To Look Sexy While Trying To Get Some Sleep #yotambienmedormi

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    #48

    Post 48hrs Oncall

    Post 48hrs Oncall

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    MumtazSyed
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hats off to all these hard working over worked doctors, my children are amongst them all three of them. God bless them all!

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    #49

    Doctors Have Lives Also And Health To Take Care Of..=( #yotambienmedormi

    Doctors Have Lives Also And Health To Take Care Of..=( #yotambienmedormi

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    #51

    Guilty!!!

    Guilty!!!

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    #52

    Nobody's Perfect

    Nobody's Perfect

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    #53

    Trying Not To Fall Asleep At 4am (3rd Call On The Same Week)

    Trying Not To Fall Asleep At 4am (3rd Call On The Same Week)

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    #54

    2 In The Morning After 18 Hours Of Work And Another 12 Left

    2 In The Morning After 18 Hours Of Work And Another 12 Left

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    #55

    Post-call, In Between Elective Surgeries, And Pre-call To Boot. Good Times.

    Post-call, In Between Elective Surgeries, And Pre-call To Boot. Good Times.

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    #56

    Memories From 1st Year Residency After Being On-call All Night Nonstop

    Memories From 1st Year Residency After Being On-call All Night Nonstop

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    #57

    Lesson After 24h Awake

    Lesson After 24h Awake

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    #58

    After 28 Hrs, Anywhere Is Comfortable. #yotambienmedormi

    After 28 Hrs, Anywhere Is Comfortable. #yotambienmedormi

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    #59

    Re-energizing Myself At 2a.m. In Surgical Emergency (30 Hours On Call)

    Re-energizing Myself At 2a.m. In Surgical Emergency (30 Hours On Call)

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    #60

    After A 36++ Hour Duty. We Need Sleep Too.

    After A 36++ Hour Duty. We Need Sleep Too.

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    #61

    48-hour Labor Watch

    48-hour Labor Watch

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    #62

    Worked Hard Until Fainted Dehydrated!

    Worked Hard Until Fainted Dehydrated!

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