DOCTOR FATIGUE SOLUTIONS THE FOCUS OF INTERNATIONAL FORUM

New measures to combat doctor fatigue will be explored at an international medical forum being staged this week by the Beattie Government, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

The two-day Fatigue Management for Doctors Forum starts at The Chifley at Lennon’s in Brisbane on Thursday and will feature international and Australian clinicians at the cutting edge of addressing doctor fatigue.

“This Queensland Health forum is part of the $3.6 million Alert Doctor Strategy I launched to develop new safeguards and measures to reduce doctor fatigue,” Mr Robertson said.

“Its’ about learning from world’s best practice and identifying practical fatigue management solutions that could work for Queensland’s medical workforce.

“Doctor fatigue is a complex issue and there are no quick fixes.

“Doctors have historically worked long hours in hospitals right around the world.

“However, in a 21^st Century health system, that culture must change for the well-being of doctors and patients alike,” he said.

The forum’s keynote speaker is Dr Simon Eccles, a consultant in Emergency Medicine at London’s Homerton Hospital, and a driving force behind the “Hospital at Night” project being adopted throughout the UK.

Other speakers include AMA federal vice president Dr Choong-siew Yong and Associate Professor John Moreton from Christchurch Hospital in New Zealand.

“Dr Eccles’ project redefines how medical cover is provided in hospitals overnight,” Mr Robertson said.

“It uses a multidisciplinary team that has competence to cover a wide range of medical disciplines at night and the capacity to call in specialist expertise when necessary.

“The forum will also hear about GP Assist – an innovative service which is delivering a progressive after hours general practice solution.

“GP Assist helps rural GPs to significantly reduce their after hours burden of work by allowing them to divert their after hours calls to a dedicated triage centre.”

Mr Robertson said the management of doctor fatigue was a complex problem for the health sector.

“The worldwide shortage of doctors, changes in undergraduate training, the increasing feminisation of the medical workforce, work/life balance expectations and the ageing of the medical workforce are all factors that contribute to fatigue.

“That’s why we need an evidence-based approach to minimising the risk that work practices place on doctors’ health and patient safety while optimising education and continuity of care.”

The Beattie Government has a range of other initiatives already underway to address doctor fatigue.

“Queensland Health is currently monitoring doctor working hours at 13 public hospitals and primary health care centres as part of a trial of interim fatigue risk management measures.

“Hospitals participating in the trials include: Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital; Princess Alexandra Hospital; Redcliffe Hospital, Rockhampton Hospital; Gold Coast Hospital; Stanthorpe Hospital and Millmerran Health Service; Logan Hospital; Townsville Hospital; Mackay Hospital; Mt Isa Hospital; Douglas Shire Multi Purpose Health Service at Mossman; Yarrabah Primary Health Care Clinic and Atherton Hospital.

“The findings from these trials will be used to implement a new fatigue management framework in all Queensland public hospitals within 18 months.

“Queensland Health already has in place fatigue reporting arrangements which allow doctors to report fatigue instances and require supervisors to assess and manage the risk of current and future fatigue instances.

“Medical managers must also review the rostering and work arrangements of junior doctors to ensure work practices that may lead to fatigue risks are managed.

“We’re also working with unions on a new continuous hours policy to address fatigue-related risks from doctors working long hours; including processes to be followed if a doctor is engaged in 16 hours of continuous work.

“And systematic reporting of excess overtime hours and fatigue penalty payments for doctors who cannot access an 8-hour break between shifts is also starting to pay dividends,” he said.

MEDIA:  PAUL LYNCH   3234 1190