Great Britain: Morale "terrible" among doctors (poll of NHS Docs:69% wouldn't recommend MD career)

The Scotsman ^ | April 12, 2007

[Stoat]

 

Morale "terrible" among doctors

LONDON (Reuters) - More than half of doctors questioned in a poll said morale within the profession is "poor" or "terrible", blaming government targets and reforms for the downbeat atmosphere.

A total of 54 percent of the 1,442 online survey respondents said morale within the profession was at a low, with more than two-thirds saying it had worsened during the past year.

Just 2 percent said morale was "excellent" in the survey carried out by the magazine "Hospital Doctor".

Nearly 70 percent said they would not recommend a career in medicine to friends or relatives.

Factors behind the low morale included changing workloads and government moves to centralise hospitals.

"Cost-cutting turn-around programmes have been disastrous for morale," said one respondent.

"Staff have been turned against each other."

Jonathan Fielden, chairman of the British Medical Association's Consultants' Committee, said a medical workforce that "feels so downbeat is not good news for the NHS or patients".

"The result of this survey shows how demoralised so many doctors are feeling and how they believe constant government reforms and targets are taking them further away from their initial vocation -- to treat patients."

The magazine quoted Stephen Campion, chief executive of the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association, as saying: "Traditionally, many doctors have followed in their parents' footsteps and increasingly we are hearing doctors saying they wished they hadn't recommended a career in medicine to their children.

"This is indicative of the extreme frustration and low morale hospital doctors are feeling."

[Stoat]

See Also:

 

BBC NEWS UK Doctors' morale low, poll claims

Don't join NHS for a career, say doctors Uk News News Telegraph

Two-thirds of doctors say that medicine is a bad career choice Health SocietyGuardian.co.uk

Sky News 'Don't Go Into Medicine'

[Stoat]

I have no idea how these numbers and sentiments compare with Docs here in the USA.  It would have been great to have comparative numbers as this would have provided an interesting and useful perspective....too bad none of the articles provide such information.

[Stoat]

Related item:

One in three NHS doctors take private UK health insurance

One in three NHS doctors take private UK health insurance

A third of NHS medics would prefer to be treated privately than on the National Health Service. A new survey reveals that one in three doctors have taken out a private UK health insurance policy.

13/02/2007 14:03:20

The poll for Hospital Doctor magazine shows that 22 per cent of all medics have their own private UK health insurance to ensure that they are treated privately if they fall ill.

A total of 33 per cent of the 1,700 GPs and hospital doctors quizzed said that they preferred private UK health insurance treatment to that offered on the NHS. A further six per cent would choose private UK health insurance if waiting lists were too long or their condition warranted it.

Among GPs, 28 per cent have private UK health insurance and a further ten per cent said that they would opt for private treatment if they or a close relative fell ill.

Private UK health insurance providers have welcomed the poll and stressed the importance of shopping around in order to find the best possible deal for each individual. Private health insurance can provide rapid treatment and peace of mind in the event of illness or accident for a relatively small fee.

The Patients Association has expressed disappointment at the results of the survey, claiming that it suggests that many doctors do not trust the NHS. Liberal Democrat health spokesman, Norman Lamb, commented: "Despite the record investment and all the claims by ministers, people are still waiting too long for NHS treatment. Greater efforts must be made to get the NHS to the point where people don't feel the need to make those decisions if they are lucky enough to have the money to do so."

[Daffynition]

Some info here on US docs

Having grown-up with a pediatric physician as the head of household, she would not recommend the medical field to any family members. Mostly based on the red tape associated with the health care industry.

[Brilliant]

The fruits of socialism. Of course, the medical establishment in this country is so heavily regulated, it’s pretty much a basket case as well, but at least it’s not in the deathbed, as in Britain.

[Gorzaloon]

I personally know three good doctors here who have walked away from their practices because of micromanaging by HMO's, suffocation by paperwork, and multiple appointment bookings dictated by administrators. So, I am just one person who happens to have personally encountered these three.

Now, add the UK's bureaucracy to the problems, and one can only imagine what their careers are like.

Imagine being treated by someone who is thinking, "I wish I had been a plumber!"

[saganite]

Tell them to shutup and do their socialist duty. Servants of the state shouldn’t complain.

[joonbug]

Bingo. And the Democratic candidates are all promising universal health care, which is exactly what the UK has.

[bert]

On line poll can be Freeped and likely totally unreliable.

[ryan71]

Yup. The government is not good at anything. What makes anyone think the government can provide an effective health care system?

[Hardastarboard]

The problem with socialized medicine is that it takes people who are very intelligent, capable, and motivated, and makes them subject to the will of the state (serfs, in other words). Why would anyone subject themselves to the years of education and stress that becoming a doctor requires, only to have your life, career and every move dictated in microscopic detail by the state?

[newguy357]

Why would anyone subject themselves to the years of education and stress that becoming a doctor requires, only to have your life, career and every move dictated in microscopic detail by the state?

Exactly. I had deferred for a year my acceptance to medical school. I have recently decided not to go that route and will instead be going to management school to enter a particular area of business that will allow me to make more, work fewer hours, not get sued, and not become a government employee when the dems get their wish granted. I am not the only one. I know people walking away. Even the threat of govt. control is causing people to leave. I have been told that about 50% of US physicians regret going into medicine.

[sono]

In the UK, it's the NHS. In the US, it's CMS, Managed Cost Care, and, of course, the Slip and Fall Lawyers. Ugh ...

[LaineyDee]

Why would anyone subject themselves to the years of education and stress that becoming a doctor requires, only to have your life, career and every move dictated in microscopic detail by the state?

And I add...typically dictated by people who don't have a CLUE as to what goes on in the medical field.

A while back, I had to fight with Medicaid to approve a pulse oximeter for a child with a trach. I was told repeatedly, "Our guidelines don't specific this piece of equipment for the patient". I had to explain to her WHY it was a necessity and asked her if she would be comfortable denying this, if this were her child. (That was the ticket) This is just one example of government hiring non-medical personnel to "authorize" treatments they don't understand.

[Malacoda]

Indeed. Go read the blogs of “NHS Blog Doctor” and “Dr. Rant.” Both in the trenches, both utterly disgusted. It’s a good view of what’s going on in the NHS.

[dangerdoc]

bump

[Kimmers]

Take my word for it, the morale among docs in the US is low also....I know of a lot of docs that do not recommend it as a career.

They will graduate from med school, hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, limited reimbursement for services rendered, buried in government required paper work, and mounting malpractice insurance premiums.

[Kimmers]

What is their motivation? Do these people get bonuses when they deny services prescribed by a physician.

I think the problem is the law makers (mostly trial attorneys) have made physicians out to be the enemy.

[Polyxene]

“I think the problem is the law makers (mostly trial attorneys) have made physicians out to be the enemy.”

The number one problem being JOHN EDWARDS!! and HE wants to be POTUS!! )))))shiver(((((

[LaineyDee]

I'm not sure if the national health care system people get bonuses or not.....but private insurance companies reward "performances" in that area. The good thing about private insurance.....is if the Dr. writes a prescription for anything..you have it... toot-sweet.

My biggest concern is the people writing these "requirements for authorization".... delay critically needed care and supplies by either their lack of working knowledge in the medical field.....or apathy towards the patients. To put any and all medical care under the direction of our government.....via Hillary care... is an idea spawned from hell, IMO.

[Stoat]

Some info here on US docs

Wow!  Thank you very much for posting!  VERY depressing and very informative.  Particularly striking to me were the responses to

6. Have you ever considered leaving the practice of medicine as a result of morale problems?

(59.7% YES)

and

10. Do you know of any physicians who have left the practice of medicine as a result of morale problems?

(69.9% YES)

These numbers appear very close to numbers relating to similar sentiments cited in the UK NHS poll.

Having grown-up with a pediatric physician as the head of household, she would not recommend the medical field to any family members. Mostly based on the red tape associated with the health care industry.
 

Red tape and the malpractice litigation culture and insurance issues have been the bane of many physicians I have known or worked with.  Here in Washington State, the medical malpractice insurance issues are so bad that OBGYN Docs and Neurosurgeons in particular have been moving out of the state in droves.  It's very sad and is impacting the availability of certain types of care here.

Some info here on US docs

Wow!  Thank you very much for posting!  VERY depressing and very informative.  Particularly striking to me were the responses to

6. Have you ever considered leaving the practice of medicine as a result of morale problems?

(59.7% YES)

and

10. Do you know of any physicians who have left the practice of medicine as a result of morale problems?

(69.9% YES)

These numbers appear very close to numbers relating to similar sentiments cited in the UK NHS poll.

Having grown-up with a pediatric physician as the head of household, she would not recommend the medical field to any family members. Mostly based on the red tape associated with the health care industry.
 

Red tape and the malpractice litigation culture and insurance issues have been the bane of many physicians I have known or worked with.  Here in Washington State, the medical malpractice insurance issues are so bad that OBGYN Docs and Neurosurgeons in particular have been moving out of the state in droves.  It's very sad and is impacting the availability of certain types of care here.

[Stoat]

The fruits of socialism. Of course, the medical establishment in this country is so heavily regulated, it’s pretty much a basket case as well, but at least it’s not in the deathbed, as in Britain.

Sadly, some of the numbers and sentiments cited in the page kindly linked by rainbow sprinkles at post # 4 here seem awfully close to similar items cited in the UK poll. 

[Porterville]

There are a lot of great Muslim doctors... so I guess the Anglos in Britain should just close up shop and give the country to Pakistan.

[Stoat]

On line poll can be Freeped and likely totally unreliable.

Normally I would concur, which I why I don't make a habit of posting poll results here.  However, in this case the respondents were specifically targeted, and it was a 'closed poll' by an industry journal that requires special user logins.  It wasn't a poll that was accessible to the general public.

[Stoat]

Why would anyone subject themselves to the years of education and stress that becoming a doctor requires, only to have your life, career and every move dictated in microscopic detail by the state?

Sadly, many Docs in the USA are feeling similarly disenchanted by the red tape and litigious culture here.  Please see the poll of American Docs kindly linked by rainbow sprinkles at post # 4.

[Stoat]

bump

Thank you  :-)

[Stoat]

Take my word for it, the morale among docs in the US is low also....I know of a lot of docs that do not recommend it as a career.

They will graduate from med school, hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, limited reimbursement for services rendered, buried in government required paper work, and mounting malpractice insurance premiums.

Such as waste of great talent.  And such a deprivation not only to patients but to the doctors themselves who by and large love people and helping them.

Practicing medicine provides some of the most uplifting feelings that are possible in all of the range of human experience.

Take my word for it, the morale among docs in the US is low also....I know of a lot of docs that do not recommend it as a career.

They will graduate from med school, hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, limited reimbursement for services rendered, buried in government required paper work, and mounting malpractice insurance premiums.

[FlyVet]

Take my word for it, the morale among docs in the US is low also....I know of a lot of docs that do not recommend it as a career.

Being a military retiree, I'm in a sort of socialist health care system. Last time I visited my doc she sounded very discouraged. The military docs are expected to not only treat their heavy workload of patients (it's usually a 3-4 week waiting list to get in there), but they also have to deal with deployments. On top of that they are charged with managing a branch or squadron of dozens, or hundreds, of subordinates, and that is a tremendous amount of paperwork to deal with. "Do more with less" is the bye word. There is a breaking point.

It's almost as if the bureaucrats by their actions are pushing the ingnant sheeple toward the breaking point.

Solution: socialized medicine, of course.

The cure will be worse than the disease, but the sheeple will be coerced into it by desperation.

[Stoat]

There are a lot of great Muslim doctors... so I guess the Anglos in Britain should just close up shop and give the country to Pakistan.

I remain hopeful that our dear British Friends can correct the problems in their country just as I am hopeful that we can address the unique problems here in the USA.  If we allow Western culture to be lost, it will truly be a sin against God, as we embody the greatest achievements of all of mankind's efforts and designs.  Allowing this great shining jewel to become so corrupted that it is overrun by the barbarian hordes would be a most egregious insult to All Things.

[Daffynition]

Here is another good article, although 2 y/o ... which echoes the sentiments expressed.

"A handful of physicians are finding relief by turning to so-called boutique, or concierge, practices, typically charging an annual fee to cover preventive services not covered by Medicare."

We are coming to the time when we will have to pay extra for more than our "17 minutes" of a doc's attention. Sad.