The pace is fast, the days are long and the responsibility is enormous. It is not often that there is time to take a proper break. Egil Romslo Schistad had had enough. He realized that the job was not viable, and something had to change in order for him to be able to continue as a doctor at the hospital. And then their section leader took action. The duty arrangements were changed. There were more people at work, and you didn’t have to sit alone with all the responsibilities during the day. – It enabled me to continue in my job. Because I hadn’t continued in the job, I promised myself that, because I couldn’t stand it. It was like the straw, and now it has become much better, says Schistad. Egil Romslo Schistad and Fredrik Axelsson are both doctors specializing in the medical department at Ålesund Hospital. Photo: Hans-Olav Landsverk / news – 120 km/ten 90 zone In Ålesund, doctor Schistad says that at one point it all became too much. – You can stretch the rope and endure a shift, but when it becomes heavy shift after heavy shift, where you are awake all the time… Where you are not allowed to rest, where you are not allowed to think, where you are a little scared because you feel you are driving 120 km/h a 90 zone. It usually goes well, but not always. It is the load over time. An extra shift was put in during the day, which meant that two people could share the work tasks when it was busiest. – What is important is that you listen to those who are on duty. We were the ones who said that we couldn’t hold out any longer, and eventually we got something done about it. After the change, everyday work is better for Schistad. – Now I brag about the department, instead of saying that I don’t know if I can be there anymore, says the doctor. Fredrik Axelsson and Egil Romslo Schistad say it is important that the managers listen to the employees. Photo: Hans-Olav Landsverk / news – Listening to us His colleague Fredrik Axelsson, who is also a company representative for the Young Doctors’ Association in Møre og Romsdal, explains that everyday working life is now experienced better among the other colleagues as well. – As a company representative, I am happy that we have managers who listen to us when things are difficult, and take measures to improve working conditions, says Axelsson. And as a doctor himself, he also notices that he is more rested and clear-headed. He says there are many reasons why the workload is large and which contribute to the increase in workload. Axelsson believes that managers must take greater responsibility for assessing the load and whether the duty arrangements are sound, not just that they are legal. Think more people should take action – This was something we saw over time. Both direct feedback from the doctors, but also in the deviation system, where messages were received that the load was too great. It was quite clear that something had to be done. That’s what Jørn-Åge Longva says, who at this time was section leader for the medical doctors, and one of those who took action. Jørn-Åge Longva was previously section manager for medical doctors, and is now department manager for medicine. Photo: Øyvind Berge Sæbjørnsen / news He received feedback from both union representatives and the doctors that something had to be done. He passed it on to his superiors, who gave permission. This allowed them to hire two extra doctors, so that they could shift other shifts and make the entire shift solution fit together. – It is of such great importance for retaining and recruiting doctors – that the environment and the workload are perceived as good and livable. I saw that we had to do something about the increased influx of patients. Then we had to change the rosters and set up accordingly. The manager says that this is perhaps his most important issue. They have also noticed increased recruitment following the initiative. – It’s something we have to take with us in the healthcare system in general: If we manage to take care of employees, it will mean that we get more. Of course, we don’t get unexpected frameworks and can employ new people all the time, but we must at least try to make changes so that we can take care of those who are already there, says Longva. – A leadership responsibility, says the Department of Health and Care Photo: Synne Lykkebø Hafsaas / news Ole Henrik Bjørkholt, State Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Care, says they have received a lot of feedback from doctors who experience too much work pressure. He says that as politicians they must make the basic resources available; that you have health personnel and funding that works. – But the most important thing takes place in the individual workplace and the individual department. This is an example of good management, where a dialogue has been entered into with the employees. We encourage this, and point out that it is a managerial responsibility to ensure that you feel good at work, says Bjørkholt. Egil Romslo Schistad and Fredrik Axelsson say they are already noticing the wave of elderly people and that action must be taken. Photo: Hans-Olav Landsverk / news Do you think you hide behind a term An increasingly pressured healthcare system means that doctors believe it is all the more important that managers listen to those under them. – Be concrete, instead of having abstract thoughts about “continuous improvement” and “patient focus” and all that. It is easy to hide behind the terms. Be specific and listen to what is said by those who will carry out the work, says the doctor. It is also supported by colleague and shop steward Axelsson. But he also points to the government. – It is probably also about the framework that the authorities give to all managers. You have little room for maneuver and the budget is tight. Many do the best they can, and then there are some who succeed better than others, says Axelsson. – Then we have to learn from those who have made it happen. It shows that it is possible, he adds. Hi! Do you have any tips or thoughts about other matters or topics that I can look into more closely? Feel free to send me an email!
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Egil Romslo Schistad at Ålesund hospital says shift change was crucial – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
