Junior doctors committed despite excessive workloads
AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, today called on governments to urgently increase the number of junior doctors working in the public hospital system.
The AMA call to improve the public hospital system hears the voice of junior doctors in an AMA survey that found more than half were struggling with excessive workload and 41 percent believed this was potentially compromising the quality of care.
Nearly one third of the 914 junior doctors surveyed in Australian and New Zealand for the AMA Junior Doctors' Health and Wellbeing Survey reported regularly working unsafe hours. Half had worked an average of 50 or more hours a week in the previous year. Junior doctors have said that their health and wellbeing is being affected by this stressful environment.
The junior doctors are the backbone of our public hospital system working with their senior colleagues and specialists. "We must do more to support them and the care they give their patients," Dr Capolingua said.
"For years we've known that the heart has been ripped out of the public hospitals by governments under funding staff and infrastructure when there has been an increased patient need. The demands have been met by these dedicated doctors. Australia now has an increased number of medical graduates coming through the system and this investment must come to fruition for patients with an increased number of intern places, junior doctor staff positions and specialist training places in our public hospitals.
"This is not the time for short cuts. These doctors are the engine room of the public hospital system and they also represent the future of health care in Australia. It's up to all involved to ensure they are properly supported in this crucial part of their early careers. This starts with more doctors in hospitals, safe working hours and appropriate rostering."
Dr Capolingua said the profession knows that doctors working in these pressured environments must look after themselves, seek the support of colleagues and have their own health and well being in the care of a GP.
"It's great to see that, despite significant work pressures, 98 percent of respondents said they would be continuing their careers in medicine. This shows the commitment of our junior doctors to patients. It is a very positive outcome for the profession and for Australians in general."
A full copy of the report is available on the AMA's website.