Rodrigo Martín, the president of the Medical Association of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, warns that low compensation for on-call duties and challenges in balancing work and personal life for medical professionals could worsen the shortage of doctors at a time when “There are not enough doctors.”
In statements to Europa Press, he describes it as “unacceptable” that despite the mandatory 24-hour shifts, the hourly rate is lower than that of regular hours, with the added issue that it does not contribute to retirement benefits either.
Martín acknowledges that this work structure was implemented due to the shortage of doctors and anticipates that, at the very least, this staff deficit will persist for “another ten years” even if measures are taken now.
Hence, irrespective of the Ministry of Health’s proposal to replace 24-hour shifts with shorter shifts, he has advocated for “innovative solutions” that involve an immediate increase in compensation and adjustments to retirement benefits, among other measures.
“We must now explore alternative solutions that not only compensate for the excessive sacrifices made by medical professionals but also provide fair remuneration,” he added.
Martín admits that the elimination of 24-hour shifts could be a strategy to attract more doctors, but he also warns that this may lead to an “increase” in waiting lists as personnel handling emergencies may have to be diverted from standard healthcare services, which are currently extended during regular hours.
He notes that the staff is “severely stressed” with salaries below the European average and highlights the escalating risk of Spain training doctors who then migrate to other countries, necessitating the import of doctors from third countries.
Martín also states that there are differing opinions among doctors regarding on-call duties, with some unwilling to endure the “emotional and psychological burden” of round-the-clock shifts and potential degradation in the quality of care, while others are willing to work additional hours after their regular shifts.
He suggests that those averse to being on call can opt for specialities without this requirement, while those interested can pursue fields with extended shifts, but ultimately stresses that the fundamental issue remains the scarcity of doctors on the market.
The president suggests exploring new organisational models, especially in light of the rise of artificial intelligence, and urges leaders to embrace innovative solutions and digital tools to streamline processes and reduce consultation volumes.
Overcrowding in Emergency Services
“Such initiatives could provide us with the necessary time to alleviate our burden and allow for better work-life balance, which many doctors are seeking,” he emphasises, highlighting the challenges posed by bureaucratic hurdles.
Martín also recognises that part of the problem lies in the overcrowding of Emergency services, as citizens resort to them when prompt assistance is unavailable in the Primary Care network.
“Healthcare is a highly sensitive area, with any small change having a ripple effect,” he remarks.
According to Martín, the goal is to ensure that professionals are not overwhelmed and have more leisure time, rather than being swamped by never-ending waitlists akin to a production line scenario.
“We’ve been advocating for this for over two decades, yet it seems our message hasn’t been heeded. Consequently, we now find ourselves in a critical situation that can’t be remedied overnight,” he observes.
From his perspective, healthcare is currently at a critical juncture, both perilous and filled with potential. With the right actions from policymakers and practitioners to enhance organization, there is the prospect of significant improvement in healthcare. However, at present, the lack of coordination among the autonomous regions poses a significant challenge.
