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Salaries no longer top priority of doctors
Observer Monday Exchange
BY JANICE BUDD ASSOCIATE EDITOR — SUNDAY buddj@jamaicaobserver.com
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
TRADITIONALLY, inadequate salaries have been close to, if not at the top of the list of grouses among doctors in the public health care system.
Over recent years, threats have been issued by this powerful lobby group of a shut down of the health care system if demands for improved wages were not met.
President of the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association Dr Shane Alexis addressing yesterday’s Observer Monday Exchange. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)
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President of the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association Dr Shane Alexis addressing yesterday’s Observer Monday Exchange. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)
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However, there seems to have been a shift in thinking among the doctors, who are buckling under the brunt of an under-funded and inefficient health care system.
A new survey by the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association (JMDA) shows the hiking of doctors' salaries falling way below other pressing needs in the health care system.
The May/June 2010 survey showed only 2.3 per cent of the doctors polled thought improving salaries went hand in hand with improving the level of health care at the facilities where they work.
President of the JMDA Dr Shane Alexis told Observer editors and reporters at
the newspaper's Monday Exchange that there was more at stake than doctors' wallets.
"It is no longer just stuffing pockets or what we can get out of it; we are now bringing this to your attention so you can see for yourself and understand the gravity of the situation and see what must be done, "he said. While admitting that the changes the doctors are demanding will not come cheap, they can be lifesavers.
"What is a man's life worth, keep that in mind when you ask about money, always remember what your hand is worth, or your leg, or your breast, or your prostate."
The only thing that polled lower than salaries in terms of importance, was getting rid of the regional health structure, which only 0.8 per cent supported.
The doctors indicated that the real bugbears that needed immediate attention in terms of medical personnel, was increasing their number, making them feel appreciated and finding ways of motivating staff.
"When we speak of staff, not just doctors, but all levels of staff including doctors and that we're not appreciated by our employers. That needs to change," he said.
The JMDA survey also asked whether doctors felt appreciated by their employer (government) with a massive 75 per cent declaring they did not.
"A button, a muffin, a coffee machine, a bus trip to the beach...you may laugh but the simplest things make the biggest difference and if you do a job day-in, day-out without any form of appreciation, what I just said will go a far way." said the JMDA President.
Almost 22 per cent of those polled thought this was almost as important as reversing the free health care system.
On the flip side, 70 per cent of those polled felt they were appreciated by their patients.
Another 15.6 per cent of those doctors polled also thought patient care would improve if health facilities were improved and equipment was better maintained.
At the same time, 4.7 per cent of respondents thought educating their patients would also help make a difference, while 3.9 per cent felt restructuring the health system would raise standards. Another 1.6 per cent of the doctors polled felt a shift in focus to primary care would also be beneficial.
Observer Monday Exchange
BY JANICE BUDD ASSOCIATE EDITOR — SUNDAY buddj@jamaicaobserver.com
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
TRADITIONALLY, inadequate salaries have been close to, if not at the top of the list of grouses among doctors in the public health care system.
Over recent years, threats have been issued by this powerful lobby group of a shut down of the health care system if demands for improved wages were not met.
President of the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association Dr Shane Alexis addressing yesterday’s Observer Monday Exchange. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)
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President of the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association Dr Shane Alexis addressing yesterday’s Observer Monday Exchange. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)#slideshowtoggler { FILTER: none !important; ZOOM: normal !important}#slideshowtoggler A { FILTER: none !important; ZOOM: normal !important}#slideshowtoggler IMG { FILTER: none !important; ZOOM: normal !important}
1/1 However, there seems to have been a shift in thinking among the doctors, who are buckling under the brunt of an under-funded and inefficient health care system.
A new survey by the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association (JMDA) shows the hiking of doctors' salaries falling way below other pressing needs in the health care system.
The May/June 2010 survey showed only 2.3 per cent of the doctors polled thought improving salaries went hand in hand with improving the level of health care at the facilities where they work.
President of the JMDA Dr Shane Alexis told Observer editors and reporters at
the newspaper's Monday Exchange that there was more at stake than doctors' wallets.
"It is no longer just stuffing pockets or what we can get out of it; we are now bringing this to your attention so you can see for yourself and understand the gravity of the situation and see what must be done, "he said. While admitting that the changes the doctors are demanding will not come cheap, they can be lifesavers.
"What is a man's life worth, keep that in mind when you ask about money, always remember what your hand is worth, or your leg, or your breast, or your prostate."
The only thing that polled lower than salaries in terms of importance, was getting rid of the regional health structure, which only 0.8 per cent supported.
The doctors indicated that the real bugbears that needed immediate attention in terms of medical personnel, was increasing their number, making them feel appreciated and finding ways of motivating staff.
"When we speak of staff, not just doctors, but all levels of staff including doctors and that we're not appreciated by our employers. That needs to change," he said.
The JMDA survey also asked whether doctors felt appreciated by their employer (government) with a massive 75 per cent declaring they did not.
"A button, a muffin, a coffee machine, a bus trip to the beach...you may laugh but the simplest things make the biggest difference and if you do a job day-in, day-out without any form of appreciation, what I just said will go a far way." said the JMDA President.
Almost 22 per cent of those polled thought this was almost as important as reversing the free health care system.
On the flip side, 70 per cent of those polled felt they were appreciated by their patients.
Another 15.6 per cent of those doctors polled also thought patient care would improve if health facilities were improved and equipment was better maintained.
At the same time, 4.7 per cent of respondents thought educating their patients would also help make a difference, while 3.9 per cent felt restructuring the health system would raise standards. Another 1.6 per cent of the doctors polled felt a shift in focus to primary care would also be beneficial.
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