In the hallowed halls of medicine, we’ve long celebrated the physician who powers through exhaustion, the resident who completes a 30-hour shift, the surgeon who operates on minimal sleep. But what if this culture of sleep deprivation—once considered a badge of honor—is actually undermining the very care we’ve sworn to provide?

Recent evidence paints a sobering picture: even moderate sleep loss increases the risk of serious medical errors by 53%, with physicians experiencing the highest rates of sleep deprivation showing a 97% increased risk. As we face mounting pressures in healthcare delivery, it’s time for an honest conversation about the elephant in the room—or rather, the exhausted physician in the operating room, clinic, or emergency department.