If there was ever a time for patients, citizens and public doctors to unite, it is now. Doctors at public hospitals are preparing a lawsuit against the Hospital Authority over long working hours.
In addition to capping the work week at 44 hours, the doctors want a rest day every week and time off as compensation for working on public holidays. Some doctors say they have to work more than 70 hours a week, and sometimes more than 36 hours at a stretch.
To head off the court case, scheduled for first hearing at the High Court in two weeks, the authority has thrown some crumbs on the table, offering a few extra days off a year, depending on the individual's job nature and seniority.
As actual and potential hospital patients, all Hong Kong citizens should support the public doctors out of pure self-interest, for a very simple reason: no one wants to be treated by a doctor who has not slept for two days.
The working hours of public doctors vary greatly, of course. Those in accident and emergency departments work the fewest hours - about 44 a week - because they have a three-shift rotation. However, surgeons can work as many as 90 hours a week, as they are on call for emergency operations. Would you want to be cut open by a drained and irritable surgeon?
A tired doctor, like all other human beings, becomes less alert and tolerant of patient's questions and concerns; and more irritable and prone to make mistakes. Can we assume that such doctors are more likely to attract disputes, complaints, and even lawsuits from patients than colleagues with sunny dispositions constantly refreshed by a good night's sleep?
Entire generations of doctors have been indoctrinated from their med-school days to consider the ability to withstand sleep deprivation a badge of honour. For men, it was a proof of manliness.
