Press release: Why are doctors unhappy? NHS Confederation report examines the issues
06 Apr 2002
A new report published by the NHS Confederation has identified that discontent in the medical profession is an international phenomenon which is about more than workload and pay. Working with the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal College of GPs, the report 'The problem of unhappy doctors: what are the causes and what can we do?' identifies diminished control combined with increased accountability and increased public expectations as significantly contributing to doctors' unhappiness.
It also reveals that the growth in public expectations and the mismatch between what doctors were trained for and what they are now required to do is exacerbating the problem.
Gill Morgan, chief executive of the Confederation said the report demonstrates the psychological contract between Government, society, the medical profession, patients and employers has broken down and needs to be renegotiated:
"Creating a new psychological contract seems daunting, but an honest conversation and airing of disappointments would be a good beginning. We need to explicitly share with the medical profession our expectations of them and find out more about their expectations of their career. This could then lead to other measures such as changes in the training and development of healthcare staff to allow more diversity, in recognition of the changes in both society and the medical profession."
Nigel Edwards, policy director at the Confederation and co-author of the report said, "that a key part of the workforce feel disenfranchised and alienated is very worrying. A health service staffed by demoralised doctors cannot flourish. In reforming the NHS, we need to explicitly address this or run the risk of failure."
Dr Richard Smith, editor of the BMJ who has highlighted the report in the latest edition said, "doctors seem to be unhappy all over the world, and we don't understand exactly why. It does seem to be much more than being overworked and underpaid, and this report provides deep insights into the unhappiness of doctors. It also suggests how we might respond to what is an important problem, as reform of health services will be impossible with deeply discontented doctors."
This report is part of a wider work programme being undertaken by the NHS Confederation into how to promote clinical leadership in the NHS.
ENDS
Notes for editors
- For an electronic copy of the report 'The problem of unhappy doctors: what are the causes and what can we do?' contact Rufus Latham on the number below.
- The BMJ carries an article authored by Nigel Edwards, together with an editorial on why doctors are unhappy this week (6th April 2002 edition).
The NHS Confederation represents the organisations that make up the NHS. Our members include the majority of NHS trusts, primary care trusts and health authorities in England; trusts, health authorities and local health groups in Wales; trusts and NHS boards in Scotland; and health and social services trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.
Contact details
- Contact Media Relations Manager Joanna Clason on 020 7074 3306 or 07798 571078 or Senior Media Officer Amy Darlington on 020 7074 3304 or 07767 770309. For out of hours media enquiries, please call the Duty Press Officer on 07880 500726.
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