In addition to regular national surveys, organisations often conduct state-wide surveys to determine the status of state-based services. One such survey has been undertaken by the New South Wales branches of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation (ASMOF). The Alliance NSW Hospital Health Check Survey 2017 was conducted to identify areas of need and improve conditions for junior doctors.
The survey was specific to the experience of trainee doctors and an estimated 20% of the overall number of doctors in training were involved. All responses from the 1107 participants were anonymous. Questions were focused on overtime and rostering, access to leave, wellbeing, education and training, and morale and culture based on the experience of junior doctors over the preceding 12 months. The hospitals they worked in were then graded A to F for each of the five different categories and given an overall rating representing a score out of 100.
The stats of the Hospitals Health Check
- The majority, just over 60%, identified as female
- 7% of respondents graduated overseas, the rest graduated medical school in Australia
- 45% were interns and residents, the remainder in specialty training positions
Hospitals Health Check survey findings
All hospitals involved scored an A or B for access to leave, however a number of hospitals scored a D for rostering and overtime. The majority of trainee doctors rated their overall experience as good or excellent and would recommend their hospital to other trainee doctors but have also expressed concerns about making a clinical error due to fatigue, as well as concerns about personal health and safety caused by hours worked. One respondent stated their physical health had suffered and another felt they were so busy working there was not enough time to fully understand what was being taught.
The survey findings have resulted in calls for more emphasis on the wellbeing of doctors in training. Additionally, some view the findings as showing that health resources are unevenly distributed through the state of NSW and that junior doctors in outer suburban and regional areas have a greater workload compared to those in Sydney.
NSW Health has stated the survey results highlight areas of concerns at individual hospitals and recommends those hospitals respond to the issues identified. The NSW Ministry of Health hosted a forum in June to discuss the wellbeing of junior medical officers and is currently finalising a JMO wellbeing support plan based on information and expert advice gathered at the forum. NSW Health has also launched a review of hospital rosters to ensure rostering meets best practice.
The full results of the Alliance NSW Hospital Health Check Survey 2017 can be obtained via the AMA (NSW) / ASMOF (NSW) Alliance website.