Resident Doctors Raise Concerns Over Overwork, Urge SMS Medical College Administration for Relief Measures

Jaipur: Resident doctors at SMS Medical College have penned a letter to the college administration, expressing their distress over the overwhelming workload and demanding immediate measures to alleviate the pressure of duty.

In their communication, the doctors have highlighted the need for a structured job chart and job profile for resident doctors, nursing staff, and other healthcare professionals in each department to ensure a fair distribution of responsibilities. One of the key issues raised by the resident doctors is the absence of regular days off, with many stating that they are compelled to work seven days a week without respite. The doctors assert that this constant workload has adversely affected their well-being and performance, urging the administration to address this concern promptly. 

One of the residents, on the condition of anonymity, revealed that the lack of defined job roles has led to the exploitation of junior doctors by their senior counterparts. The anonymous source stated that senior doctors often deny leave, leading to severe burnout among the residents. Additionally, the deteriorating condition of the postgraduate housing facility was cited as a cause for concern, with residents living in deplorable conditions. 

She told Medical Dialogues, " There have been some tragic cases where doctors working in SMS hospital have committed suicide, the latest being one of the residents of the neurosurgery department. These incidents have also highlighted the need for comprehensive reforms in the healthcare system to ensure that medical professionals can deliver quality care while maintaining their own physical and mental health. Whenever a committee is formed, it focuses on the statements of senior doctors and conveniently ignores the point of view of the junior doctors. This toxic work culture must not prevail and a systematic way of determining work and allowing leaves should be maintained." 

Jaipur Association of Resident Doctors (JARD) has recently submitted a letter to the highest administrative authorities stating, " 2 resident doctors have attempted suicide in the last 4 days. One of them has died while the other is fighting between life and death. It is the result of mental and physical torture that has been going on in the hospital premises for a long time as there is no work-life balance. When we talked to fellow residents this year, we found that they face problems in finding proper accommodation and good quality food."

"There is no fixed duty hour and the residents have to work there for 24 to 48 hours. Even after this, they don’t get any week off. During the strike, it was decided that residents would be given weekly and nights off but it was not implemented. It was decided that patients would take admission when junior doctors were on emergency duty but now patients get admitted round the clock and junior doctors had to rush," the letter added. 

Talking to Medical Dialogues Dr Rajesh Kumawat, JARD President told Medical Dialogues, "Work details and job profiles should be clearly mentioned. There is a lack of staff and the duties of the nurses are also not clearly stated. There are no staff for handling computers and other machinery also. As a result, all of these works are indirectly imposed on the junior doctors who are pursuing the first year of their residency. They have to cater to the need of different kinds of medical and administrative needs of the patients and the hospital which takes a toll on their body and their mind. We are requesting the authorities to give an immediate hearing to the very logical demands of the residents to create a positive environment for the doctors in SMS hospital."