'Work hardening' is failing registrars and patients, says AMA
A surgical registrar’s public denouncement of her training has sparked renewed debate on safe working hours
6th February 2019
A registrar’s decision to walk away from her surgical training position because it “broke" her shows reliance on long hours to prepare doctors for specialist practice is not working, says the AMA.
Dr Yumiko Kadota publicly revealed the effect her unaccredited training post had had on her physical and mental health in a blog republished by Australian Doctor earlier this week.
The article, which detailed how she worked 180-hours in two weeks, sparked multiple media headlines and social media posts.
Speaking to ABC News 24 on Wednesday, Dr Tessa Kennedy, chair of the AMA College of Doctors in Training, said Dr Kadota’s situation was a tragedy and that the medical profession had lost an “incredibly passionate and driven doctor”.
While “work