Warning that many doctors on ‘brink of burnout’
A NSW survey shows doctors in public hospitals are working an average of 21 hours overtime a week: Australian Salaried Medical Officers' Federation
Burnt-out doctors are working an average of 21 hours of mostly unpaid overtime a week in NSW public hospitals because of COVID-19, a survey shows.
The Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation (ASMOF) NSW is warning doctors and hospitals are at breaking point after surveying 813 clinicians across 14 specialties to gauge the pandemic’s impact on their workload.
The union’s survey of doctors from hospitals all over the state reveals 60% have experienced an increased workload during COVID-19, with eight in 10 reporting staff shortages in their departments.
Importantly, 85% of doctors are concerned about their fatigue levels and mental health with one-third “extremely concerned”.
