26hr photo project: "I think 26hr call is really hard..."

Dr. Grazyna Burek says: "I think 26hr call is really hard, because it doesn’t matter if you actually sleep or if you are awake the whole time—I worry how sharp my brain will be. When you're shaken from sleep, it takes time to make sure your brain is focused, and you are thinking about everything you need to for the patient. Similarly, when you are awake and don't get to rest and it’s hour 20, it takes so much mental energy to make sure you are not missing anything. It’s a crazy feeling, and there’s an anxiety that’s built into that, of what’s going to come in -- am I going to be ready for it? Am I going to be able to give it the thought and energy it deserves?" Swipe to see Dr. Burek before and after her call.

About 26hr photo project: Photographer Rebecca Hay is a resident physician training in Paediatrics in Calgary. "Physicians commonly work shifts up to 26 hours long—often without breaks or sleep, caring for families and vulnerable people. A lot can happen in that time, both beautiful and exhausting. I started the photo project "26hr" to highlight the human aspect of medicine and the incredible people working these shifts, and to explore their stories and perceptions."

Rebecca is on Instagram as @liferecaptured.