Press release: A third of South African doctors say mental wellbeing is worse now than during the COVID-19 pandemic

More than a third of healthcare practitioners in South Africa (35%) say their mental wellbeing is worse now than it was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a quarter (25%) are considering leaving the medical profession or retiring early due to mental wellbeing concerns, according to the Medical Protection.

The Medical Protection  survey findings, revealed at Medical Protection's annual Ethics for All conference last night, showed that 55% of the more than 650 respondents said political, economic and financial concerns are impacting their mental wellbeing, while around a third cited the impact of exhaustion, burnout or staff shortages on patient safety as affecting their mental wellbeing.

Medical Protection – which protects the professional interests of over 300,000 healthcare professionals around the world, including more than 30,000 in South Africa – said central Government, state hospitals, private providers and professional societies all have a part to play in improving mental health awareness and support.

Speaking at the Ethics For All conference, Dr Volker Hitzeroth, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, said: “Clearly many healthcare practitioners in South Africa are becoming increasingly exhausted and disillusioned due to the variety of pressures and challenges they face daily, and some uncertainty about the future direction of healthcare.

“When mental wellbeing is poor, it is worrying for the individual practitioner, but can also jeopardise patient care. Without support, mental wellbeing issues can also get worse and result in doctors needing extended periods of time off work or even contemplating leaving the medical profession altogether.

“While the majority of practitioners surveyed feel the Government should do more to support the profession with mental wellbeing issues, this is not just a challenge to be met by central Government. Public and private hospitals, professional societies and Medical Aid funders and administrators all have a part to play. Many professional societies have, since the pandemic, stepped up with dedicated colleagues looking after the wellbeing of their members.

“We would like to see more local mental wellbeing resources established so those doctors struggling with a range of issues can access appropriate support, as well as measures 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.

“We also believe central Government could do more to increase awareness and research into mental health and its impact in healthcare, through a nationwide campaign.

“If this issue is not properly addressed, I fear South Africa may face an exodus of healthcare practitioners. More than half of the practitioners surveyed tell us they plan to emigrate or leave the workforce due to wellbeing concerns, which will place even more pressure on the strained healthcare system and those doctors who remain.”

Doctors who participated in the Medical Protection survey commented anonymously:

• “I cannot do my job correctly and safely in a way that is best for the patient, we are always making a plan because of these shortages and patient safety and care unfortunately bears the brunt of these shortages.”

• “I no longer enjoy what I do. It no longer gives me joy. That is a tragedy.”

• "Burnout is a serious and silent problem amongst all health professionals... There is no support, everyone is just trying to get through the day. Patient loads and responsibilities are high, little personal reward, not enough time out.”

• “We do not want to leave, we do not. But it is all connected. Political, financial, economic instability, disrupted infrastructure etc with increased anxiety, decreased wellbeing and social unrest.”

ENDS

Notes

• For further information contact pressoffice@medicalprotection.org
• Medical Protection's annual Ethics For All conference is a free event open to members and non-members to discuss evolving medicolegal and ethical issues in the ever-changing world of medicine
• Medical Protection offers counselling to South African members experiencing work-related stress, or stress that they feel could impact their practice. More information is available at https://www.medicalprotection.org/southafrica/help-advice/counselling-service
• The Medical Protection survey was completed by 662 health professionals in South Africa. The survey was in the field in October.

Key findings

• 35% of doctors said their mental wellbeing is worse now than during the COVID-19 pandemic
• 25% said they are considering leaving the medical profession or retiring early due to mental wellbeing concerns
• 22% said they planned to or considered leaving SA due to their mental wellbeing concerns
• 55% said political, economic and financial concerns are impacting their mental wellbeing
• 25% said staff shortages are significantly impacting mental wellbeing, while 34% said it was having a moderate impact
• 39% said the impact of burnout and exhaustion on patient safety was impacting their mental wellbeing.

About MPS

The Medical Protection Society Limited (“MPS”) is the world’s leading protection organisation for doctors, dentists and healthcare professionals. We protect and support the professional interests of more than 300,000 members around the world. Membership provides access to expert advice and support and can also provide, depending on the type of membership required, the right to request indemnity for any complaints or claims arising from professional practice.

Our in-house experts assist with the wide range of legal and ethical problems that arise from professional practice. This can include clinical negligence claims, complaints, medical and dental council inquiries, legal and ethical dilemmas, disciplinary procedures, inquests and fatal accident inquiries.

Our philosophy is to support safe practice in medicine and dentistry by helping to avert problems in the first place. We do this by promoting risk management through our workshops, E-learning, clinical risk assessments, publications, conferences, lectures and presentations.

MPS is not an insurance company. All the benefits of membership of MPS are discretionary as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.