A Paradigm Shift in Neurosurgeons' Work Style

Abstract

  The Act on the Arrangement of Related Acts to Promote Work-Style Reform was enacted in 2017 to reduce the practice of long working hours. However, medical doctors are exempted for five years due to legal obligations of providing medical treatment, work duty, and self-improvement that are unique characteristics of the medical profession, difficult to control through regulations for working hours.

  According to the Health Ministry expert panel proposal for medical doctors' work-style reform, the overtime cap will be set to 960 hours a year in general hospitals after 2024. However, this proposal allows some doctors to work overtime up to 1,860 hours a year at individual designated medical institutions supporting regional areas. This overtime will be allowed under the condition that doctors have at least nine hours of rest between work shifts and never work more than 28 consecutive hours. In this paper, several measures are presented to stop overwork and promote reform of neurosurgeons' work-style.