Most public doctors say working long hours affects their job performance and medical judgment while on duty, according to a new survey.
Eight out of 10 doctors surveyed said overwork affected their ability to conduct proper diagnosis, and four out of 10 admitted they had committed medical errors as a result.
More than 85 per cent said they would consider quitting their jobs at public hospitals if working conditions did not improve.
The survey was conducted by the Frontline Doctors' Union, medical lawmaker Leung Ka-lau and the action group on standard hours, which was formed by public health doctors in March. Questionnaires were distributed to 4,525 doctors at public hospitals early this month. There were 711 replies.
The survey found doctors were working, on average, a 65-hour week. However, 12 per cent said they were working more than 80 hours a week.
Fewer than 30 per cent of the doctors in the survey thought the Hospital Authority's HK$172 million package of measures to retain staff would prove effective.
Dr Ng Chi-ho, a spokesman for the action group, said the proposed measures failed to address the concerns and needs of doctors. He said the real issue was overwork, which could only be resolved by implementing standard working hours.