Medics support shorter shifts for junior doctors

The issue of working hours has been ongoing for many years, if not decades, but has never been addressed effectively.

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“Following the widely publicised tragic death of a young doctor earlier this year, the subject has been brought to the fore which has shed some light on the dire situation young doctors are currently faced with.

“This young doctor was involved in a car accident after allegedly falling asleep while driving on her way home after working a shift of at least 24 hours. What is not being reported are the stories about other doctors whom this has also happened to – this was one of many cases which was highlighted in the media,” says Professor Mark Sonderup, vice-chairman of the South African Medical Association (SAMA).

International data suggests working continuously for 16 hours is problematic and is against prevailing data. “Therefore this reduction to 24 hour shifts, whilst a positive move, is still not in line with current evidenciary international best practice,” he says.

While the Western Cape’s provincial department of health reduced the shifts for young doctors from 30 hours to no longer than 24 hours, it is important that this regulation is implemented across the country to ensure safer working hours for medical interns.

Of the respondents, 44% said that shorter shifts will ensure the mental and physical well-being of junior doctors while 38% said it will lead to better patient care.

Staff shortages

When asked how unemployment impacts their profession as a whole, 41% of the survey respondents stated that medical professionals are over-worked due to staff shortages in hospitals. “Shorter working hours for junior doctors are likely to place even more strain on over-worked medical professionals in terms of the available pool of staff we have,” says Sonderup.