The average number of hours a RANZCO trainee works has climbed to 53.3 a week – the highest for ophthalmology trainees in the five years of the Medical Training Survey (MTS) – and almost eight hours more than the average Australian doctor in training.
While long work hours remain an issue, the next generation of eye doctors are more likely to feel positive about their prospects of passing their course, securing employment, and are less likely to be considering a career outside of medicine.
The insights from 68 RANZCO trainees were contained in the 2023 MTS that received 23,298 responses at a rate of 55%. It’s the fifth nationwide survey of all doctors in training and is a confidential way to obtain national, comparative, profession-wide data to strengthen training.
For the full report, click here.
The latest snapshot revealed ophthalmology still ranks well in terms of trainees recommending their position to other doctors – 82% of RANZCO trainees versus the 80% national average, however this is significantly down on other years (89% in 2022 and 94% in 2021).
When it comes to their workload, RANZCO trainees reported much higher strain compared to other trainee doctors, with 43% rating their workload ‘heavy’ (vs 38% national average) and 16% heavy (9% nationally).
“On average, RANZCO trainees worked 53.3 hours a week, compared to 45.6 hours a week for the national average,” the report noted. “For RANZCO trainees, 88% were working 40 hours a week or more, compared to the national response of 64%.”
The survey also delved into the impact of unrostered time. When this occurred, 70% of ophthalmology trainees received payment for this (vs 68% nationally). Thirty-two percent said it had a negative impact on their training, against the 22% national average.
The national report revealed what the Australian Medication Association (AMA) has described as an “extremely concerning” number of trainee doctors considering a career outside of medicine (19%). Fortunately for ophthalmology trainees this was just 7%. And, overall, 98% of RANZCO trainees versus 94% nationally intended to continue with their specialty.
When asked if they were concerned about not successfully completing their training program to attain fellowship, meet pathway requirements or securing place in their preferred college training program, 7% of RANZCO trainees harboured concerns against 35% nationally.
Unsurprisingly due to a strained ophthalmology workforce, a lower proportion (15%) of ophthalmology trainees said they were concerned about securing employment on completion of training against 40% nationally.
A concerning finding from the 2021 MTS found that one in five ophthalmology trainees have experienced bullying, harassment and discrimination, with 92% opting not to report it. These figures have since improved, with the 2023 survey finding that although a similar proportion had experienced these issues, 40% of alleged victims reported this behaviour, while 21% who witnessed it reported it.
Another interesting workplace culture finding in 2023 saw 69% of RANZCO trainees believe their workplace had a positive culture versus 80% nationally.
Commenting on the 2023 MTS, AMA president Professor Steve Robson said trainee doctors were suffering from the burden of heavy workloads, problems in workplace culture and a higher level of dissatisfaction with examination feedback.
“We know for a fact there is a link between the wellbeing of healthcare staff and patient care. Our patients deserve to know they are in the hands of healthcare workers who are supported and enabled to provide the best care possible,” he said.
Robson said many of the issues in the survey were a result of the overall logjam in the hospital system.
“It’s not exactly rocket science – the ability to support medical workforce wellbeing, training and education are significantly impacted by overall health system capacity,” he said.
“Governments across the country need to better fund healthcare and show our workforce that Australia values them and wants to provide the necessary resources to ensure they can perform at their best.”
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