Japan Press Weekly

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2013 July 24 - 30 [LABOR]

60% of hospital doctors ‘want out’ due to extreme work conditions

A fact-finding survey of hospital doctors in 2012 shows that 82.3% claim “a shortage of doctors” and more than 60% answered they “want to quit”.

The survey conducted by a national union for doctors shed light on the excessive workloads of hospital doctors due to the shortage of doctors and hospital staff, threatening the safety of medical care.

According to the survey, 57.5% cited “an increase in doctors’ burdens” and the “lack of time” as the cause of medical errors followed by “staff shortage” (55.7%) and “tiredness from overwork” (55%).

About 80% answered they have to “work full-time” after a night duty. Out of doctors on duty, 85.3% do extra work but the percentage of those who “apply for full payment” of overtime money stays at 32.1% while more than 30% answered they stand by for emergencies after their regular hours “without overtime pay” or “without applying for” extra pay.

The survey results suggest that violation of the Labor Standards Act is rampant in hospitals.

A surgeon complained that when the number of doctors per 100,000 people in 2006 was 307 on average in OECD nations, Japan had only 209.

The union concluded that an increase in the number of hospital doctors is the only way to improve the situation. It is demanding that the health and welfare ministry take measures to this effect and instruct medial institutions to comply with labor regulations.