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Late last year, we surveyed Medical Protection members in South Africa. The purpose of the survey was to investigate the key factors impacting mental wellbeing and identify what we can do to help – whether that be calling on employers or governments to do more, or raising awareness of the independent counselling service we provide as a benefit of membership.
The support we provide goes beyond protecting your career and reputation against cases and claims. We are here to enhance your wellbeing too.
Our survey findings demonstrated that doctors in South Africa are grappling with mental wellbeing concerns due to the immense pressures and challenges they face daily.
More than a third (35%) of the 662 respondents to our survey, conducted in October 2023, said their mental wellbeing was worse at that point than it was during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many of the mental wellbeing issues members have experienced in the aftermath of the pandemic will be familiar to all South Africans. For example, more than half (55%) said political, economic, and financial concerns were impacting their mental wellbeing.
Meanwhile, 75% said load-shedding was a major problem, with respondents raising concerns about delayed tests, surgeries and prescriptions, failing or unreliable systems, machinery and phones lines, and treating patients in the darkness when inverters or generators fail.
More than 90% said medication, medical equipment, and staff shortages were affecting their mental wellbeing. Doctors working in state healthcare facilities in particular spoke of their distress at seeing patients suffer due to the continually dwindling supply of staff, medication, and equipment.
A third (34%) cited the impact of exhaustion and burnout on patient safety as affecting their mental wellbeing. Respondents also spoke of the impact of abuse from patients and their family members, with a quarter (24%) of doctors saying that such behaviour was affecting their mental wellbeing.
It is clear from our survey findings that many doctors in South Africa are becoming increasingly exhausted and disillusioned due to the challenges they face each day. Throw in the uncertainty about the future direction of healthcare and these challenges are understandably taking a significant toll on their mental wellbeing.
When mental wellbeing is poor, it is worrying for the individual practitioner, but can also jeopardise patient care. Without support, mental wellbeing issues can get worse and result in doctors needing extended periods of time off work or even contemplating leaving the medical profession altogether. Worryingly, almost half of the practitioners surveyed tell us they plan to emigrate or leave the workforce due to wellbeing concerns.
Since the release of the survey findings, Medical Protection has called for more local mental wellbeing resources to be established so that those doctors struggling with a range of issues can access appropriate support. We would also like to see measures introduced to ensure the system has capacity so those needing time off to recuperate can take it without adding to staff shortages or detracting from patient care.
In addition, we feel the central Government as well as medical organisations and educational facilities could do more to increase research into mental health and its impact on healthcare and, by doing so, increase awareness of the issue.
On the issue of abuse, we have called for a greater security presence at all healthcare facilities, clear signage telling patients that abuse is not acceptable, and warnings to patients when they see a doctor that abuse will not be tolerated. Management of both private and public facilities need to start taking a firm and consistent line when dealing with patient abuse so that when something happens there is a swift and clear response to ensure the behaviour is never repeated.
I would encourage any members struggling with work-related stress, or stress that they feel could impact their practice, to make use of our 24/7 telephone counselling service. It is independent – provided by our trusted partners ICAS – confidential and is a benefit of membership with Medical Protection.
We would encourage any members struggling with work-related stress, or stress that they feel could impact their practice, to make use of our 24/7 telephone counselling service. It is independent – provided by our trusted partners ICAS – confidential and is a benefit of membership with Medical Protection: Counselling service for members - confidential and 24/7 (medicalprotection.org)