Workloads in the medical sector are getting so demanding that only a quarter of healthcare workers say they have time to converse properly with their patients, a survey by the Christian trade union (ACV) showed on Thursday.
Half of healthcare employees have doubts about their professional future and as many as 70% of those under 35 are considering leaving the sector.
More than 1,600 workers from various healthcare sectors were surveyed and 74% said they are facing a workload that is "structurally unsustainable". This refers to having too many tasks but also has to do with the shortage of medical staff.
This situation has an impact on the quality of healthcare. Only 40% of those surveyed believe that they systematically provide appropriate care.
Half of those surveyed said that they regularly had to work overtime to complete their tasks, leaving them extremely tired. 70% reported feeling “empty” at the end of the day.
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More than four in ten respondents go to work even if they are ill or were dismissed from work because of physical or psychological problems.
ACV stresses the urgent need to improve salaries and increase human resources in order to restore quality services. Public sector workers will be demonstrating in Brussels on 13 June to support these demands.
