Objective Many doctors report working excessively demanding schedules that comply with the European Working Time Directive (EWTD). We compared groups of junior doctors working on different schedules in order to identify which features of schedule design most negatively affected their fatigue and well-being in recent weeks.

Methods Completed by 336 doctors, the questionnaires focused on the respondents’ personal circumstances, work situation, work schedules, sleep, and perceptions of fatigue, work–life balance and psychological strain.

Results Working 7 consecutive nights was associated with greater accumulated fatigue and greater work–life interference, compared with working just 3 or 4 nights. Having only 1 rest day after working nights was associated with increased fatigue. Working a weekend on-call between 2 consecutive working weeks was associated with increased work–life interference. Working frequent on-calls (either on weekends or during the week) was associated with increased work–life interference and psychological strain. Inter-shift intervals of <10 hours were associated with shorter periods of sleep and increased fatigue. The number of hours worked per week was positively associated with work–life interference and fatigue on night shifts.

Conclusion The current findings identify parameters, in addition to those specified in the EWTD, for designing schedules that limit their impact on doctors’ fatigue and well-being.

Key terms doctor; European Working Time Directive; fatigue; health; junior doctor; medical worker; physician; risk; shift work; sleep; well-being; work–life interference; working time; worktime; worktime arrangement