Junior doctors in Australia struggling to cope

Oct 20 2008

A new study by the Australian Medical Association (AMA) has found close to half of Australia's junior doctors think their heavy workload could compromise patient care.

The survey of around 900 junior doctors found more than half were struggling with their workload and 41% said it was potentially compromising their performance.

Dr. Rosanna Capolingua president of the AMA says the results reflect the pressures of an overstretched health system.

The survey also found that a third of junior doctors say they work unsafe hours and Dr. Capolingua says the survey reaffirms the need for greater healthcare funding.

Nearly one third of the 914 junior doctors surveyed in Australian and New Zealand for the 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.

Dr. Capolingua says junior doctors are the backbone of the public hospital system and more must be done to support them - she says the situation is the result of years of under-funding on staff and infrastructure in public hospitals, when there has been an increased patient need.

Dr. Capolingua says these increased demands have been met by dedicated doctors and the increased number of medical graduates going through the system must be matched by investment, an increased number of intern places, junior doctor staff positions and specialist training places in public hospitals.

Dr. Capolingua says this is not the time for short cuts as junior doctors represent the future of health care in Australia and they must be properly supported in this crucial part of their early careers with more doctors in hospitals, safer 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.

While the results indicate that most junior doctors have a rewarding and satisfying career in medicine, it is clear there is a cost to their physical and emotional health and junior doctors face issues including burnout, inappropriate self-treatment and self diagnosis.

The survey revealed 38% believe that medical school had not prepared them for life as a doctor, 46% report having insufficient sleep and 15% reporting having little or no exercise and it also suggests that the culture of self-reliance in the medical profession persists and inappropriate self-care practices appear to develop early in doctors’ careers.

Junior doctors are encouraged to take responsibility for their own physical and psychological health and establish a continuing relationship with a GP whom they trust.

They are also advised to establish a network of peers for debriefing, support and mentorship and be alert to any internal and external stress factors and seek early and expert assistance, take regular leave, exercise, leisure and incorporate family time into a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

The AMA says public hospitals should implement safe rostering practices and ensure that they have adequate staffing levels.