Most Emergency Room Doctors Work 12 Hours During Chuseok...Half Intend to Resign

7 out of 10 People Work Over 12 Consecutive Hours During Chuseok Holiday

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Seven out of ten emergency room doctors reported working continuously for more than 12 hours during the week before and after the Chuseok holiday. Seventeen percent said they worked continuously for over 16 hours, raising concerns that such long hours could impair their ability to perform duties and pose risks to patients.

The Korean Association of Medical School Professors (KAMSP) disclosed on the 21st the results of a survey conducted among 89 emergency medicine specialists from 34 training hospitals nationwide regarding their work schedules from the 13th to the 20th of this month, which included the Chuseok holiday.

When asked about their longest continuous working hours from 7 a.m. on the 13th to 7 a.m. on the 20th, 62 respondents (69.7%) said they worked continuously for 12 hours or more. Among them, 15 (16.9%) reported working over 16 hours, and 3 (3.3%) said they worked more than 36 hours straight.

KAMSP introduced a graph comparing awake time after sleep and work performance, stating, "Work performance sharply declines after being awake for 16 hours, which can cause serious patient safety issues. Especially, working after being awake for more than 20 hours is comparable to treating patients while intoxicated."

When asked about their intention to resign, 46 respondents (51.7%) said they were seriously considering quitting, and if the return of residents is canceled, 55 (61.8%) said they would resign.

KAMSP urged, "The government's uncommunicative, incompetent, and irresponsible healthcare policies will drive not only residents and students but also specialists away from hospitals and schools. The government must acknowledge the imminent reality of healthcare collapse and demonstrate responsible action to resolve it."