More than 2100 ASMS members took part, the results detailed in a new report,
. The survey found high levels of burnout caused by work-related stress and exhaustion were now an entrenched feature of the senior medical and dental workforce. “As myriad studies have demonstrated there are close associations between burnout and intentions to leave work, suicidal ideation, and quality of patient care.” The report noticed burnout was associated with sleep deprivation, which was related to the likelihood of making “clinically significant errors”. It did not provide a breakdown by ethnicity and acknowledged this was a limitation. Among the survey’s findings were:
Pacific health leaders expect a radical overhaul of New Zealand s health system to bring benefits for people of Pacific heritage.
The change will mean the 20 district health boards which run services for individual areas around Aotearoa will be replaced by one new body, Health NZ, which will instead plan services for the whole population.
Health NZ will have four regional divisions but also district offices.
There will also be a new Māori Health Authority, sitting alongside that, to both set policies for Māori health and to decide and fund those who will deliver services.
And, on the back of Covid 19, there will be a new Public Health Agency which will target widespread health problems - like smoking - and try to prepare for pandemics and epidemics.
Half of frontline senior doctors suffering from burnout stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Burnout is an
occupational syndrome caused by chronic workplace
stress.
ASMS has repeated a survey carried out in 2015
to compare burnout levels five years on and to measure the
impact of staffing shortages, growing patient demand and
clinical pressures.
More than 2,100 ASMS members took
part, and the results are detailed in a new report
.
The
survey results indicate that high levels of burnout caused
by work-related stress and exhaustion is now an entrenched
feature of the senior medical and dental
workforce.
Some of the key takeaways from the
survey are:
50% of respondents reported
burnout
Burnout affects female doctors more than
NZMA Chair Dr Kate Baddock said “the announcements are what we have been asking for.”
“We are pleased to be at the end of a three-year decision-making process and have a clear timeline for implementation of these system-wide changes.”
Included in today’s announcement was the establishment of a new Crown Entity called Health New Zealand, a Māori Health Authority, and the establishment of a national public health agency, which will sit within the Ministry of Health.
“NZMA has been advocating strongly for the establishment of the Māori Health Authority, and we are delighted to see this being actioned. Giving the Authority autonomy, commissioning powers, and the ability to work in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand is a key step toward achieving equitable health outcomes for Māori” said Dr Baddock.