Medics seek regulated shifts to curb burnout and ensure patient safety
Hyderabad: The Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA), Telangana, has sought fixed limits on duty hours for resident doctors, citing prolonged shifts and rising stress levels in teaching hospitals.
On Friday evening, the association submitted a representation to the Director of Medical Education, urging immediate implementation of regulated duty hours for postgraduate residents, senior residents and interns across government and private medical colleges.
The HRDA proposed a uniform policy limiting work to 12 hours per shift and 48 hours per week, with a mandatory weekly off, noting that such norms are already followed in institutions like JIPMER.
“Resident doctors are frequently subjected to prolonged duty hours, often extending to 24–36 hours at a stretch without adequate rest. This is not sustainable,” said Dr Karthik Nagula, president of the association.
Dr Mohammad Ajith, general secretary, added, “Regulated duty hours are essential not just for doctor well‑being but also for patient safety. Excessive workload directly affects decision‑making and quality of care.”
The association warned that current conditions are leading to physical fatigue, mental stress and burnout among medical trainees, with direct impact on patient care and clinical judgement.
It requested the DME to issue directions to all medical colleges to enforce regulated duty hours and ensure compliance, along with a monitoring and grievance redressal mechanism. The HRDA urged immediate action, stressing that the issue concerns both doctor welfare and healthcare standards.
