“Is it true that I am sitting at 3 at night and google «comb plaster»? » This is taken from doctor on duty Victoria Schei’s post in the Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association. There she takes a very hard line with what she believes are unsustainable conditions in Norwegian emergency rooms. Schei describes an everyday life where the seriously ill are met by inexperienced and exhausted GPs who are alone on night shifts. – When I take over the hotline, there may be eight patients waiting for help. You can not see everyone at the same time and must prioritize, she says. Newly trained doctors in hospitals today are actually called LIS1 doctors, but are often called shift doctors. It is often those who are put to work 18-hour night shifts in the emergency rooms. Bleeding and fingers out of joints Patients may have abdominal pain, bleeding, fractures in the back and shoulders out of joints. They often have severe pain and are worried, according to Schei. The 29-year-old further says that GPs have to put in place fingers that have come out of joints, plaster arms and legs even if they only have a plaster course in the introductory week, stand alone with large cuts to be sewn. On-call doctor Victoria Schei at the emergency room at Haugesund Hospital. Photo: Thomas Halleland / news She fears that there will be a serious medical loss on these shifts. – You can risk taking a tenfold dose of a medicine because you are so tired. Schei has received a lot of attention since the post was published on May 23. She has already been interviewed by several trade magazines, and then she has received massive support from colleagues on social media. – They recognize themselves and thank me for daring to put this into words. This is not a local problem, but is about the way it is organized, she says. Problem at large and small hospitals Schei points out that the problem is probably greatest in medium-sized and small hospitals. At the same time, there have been serious incidents at large hospitals as well. In 2018, Daniel Nicolai Guldberg died at the emergency room at Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen. After investigating the death, the county doctor concluded that understaffing was the cause. Schei now hopes that the authorities will take action. First, she wants a survey of the working conditions of doctors on duty in the emergency department. – There is a need for better staffing in the emergency rooms. If we had had more assistant doctors or specialists in emergency medicine who looked after all the patients, it would have been a security for us on duty, she says. Gets support Leader of the Young Doctors’ Association, Kristin Kornelia Utne, recognizes herself well in Schei’s descriptions. – Here one must ask oneself whether a good enough job has been done in assessing the seriousness of the work plan and having a dialogue with the employees about how everyday work is, she says. Kristin Kornelia Utne, leader of the Young Doctors’ Association. Photo: Michaela Klouda / Young Doctors’ Association Utne points out that more doctors are experiencing a very high workload, and that more and more people are applying to Villa Sana, which is the Medical Association’s center for doctors who need help and support in crises. – There are very many who go there due to burnout, and an experience that they can not do the job well enough. It is a warning in itself, says Utne. State Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Care Services, Ole Henrik Krat Bjørkholt, emphasizes that it is the health trusts that are the employer and thus responsible for ensuring that the working environment is sound. – Even though as a LIS1 doctor you are entitled to guidance and follow-up by experienced doctors, I have a great understanding that the transition from studies to long shifts can be experienced as violent, he says. The director understands Olav Klausen, CEO of Helse Fonna, says he understands Schei’s concern. – On a general basis, it is nothing new that LIS1 doctors in Norwegian hospitals have a great responsibility and go on demanding shifts. I understand the concern that has been raised, he says. Olav Klausen, CEO of Helse Fonna. Photo: Rosa Irén Villalobos / news When the new hospital building in Haugesund was completed, Helse Fonna created several senior doctor positions in the emergency room, but only during the day, according to the director. – If many senior doctors, or experienced LIS doctors, are to be present at the hospital around the clock, they will be less present during the day when there is a lot to do. The experienced LIS doctors and chief physicians have many tasks during the day, such as operations, outpatient clinics and visits. It is not just a question of money, but of how we should best dispose of and prioritize medical resources, says Klausen.
ttn-69
On-call doctor fears serious doctor losses at the emergency room – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
