We are deeply concerned after reading the CodeBlue article from January 15, 2024, which highlights the implementation of a “Zero HO Protocol” within the Medicine Department at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC).
This protocol aims to address the critical shortage of house officers (HO) in different medical units, as the services provided by house officers are now prioritised based on departmental workload.
Some of the key points of the protocol are as follows:
- ICU prioritisation with stable patients being admitted to medicine department wards and at-risk patients being placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
- Encouraging medical officers to perform procedures like IV cannula insertion and blood tests themselves to emphasise clinical judgement and discourage unnecessary test requests.
- Proposal for task sharing among medical officers, lecturers and consultants.
- Emphasis on mindfulness during patient admission as patient management is the responsibility of the admitting doctor.
House officers and medical officers are the grassroots of the health care system to achieve peak efficiency. Thus, we humbly call upon the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Higher Education to consider the following.
Decrease In Manpower Results In More Harm Than Good
The diminishing number of house officers in the health care system is manifesting as a significant concern with multifaceted repercussions. The increased workload on the existing staff is leading to burnout, adversely affecting their overall wellbeing.
Service reductions or cuts to cope with the strain could potentially compromise access to crucial medical services for patients, raising serious concerns about health care delivery and patient safety.
Hence, urgent attention is needed to address extreme shortages and maldistribution. A targeted approach could involve expediting the intake of medical graduates into the housemanship system for a quicker transition from graduation to practical training.
This would also overcome the brain drain issue which has been a concerning trend in the health care system.
On the other hand, Singapore offers a shorter time between graduation and work compared to waiting around six months in Malaysia. Hence, with a shorter gap, more medical graduates are able to work sooner, which can reduce the shortage of house officers.
Task delegation, focusing on critical departments, is crucial for effective management without compromising quality. Public hospitals should identify critical departments that are particularly affected by the shortage and maldistribution of HOs, as it would allow task prioritisation based on urgency and importance.
Task delegation should focus on ensuring that essential responsibilities are managed effectively without shortage drawbacks. This emphasises the need for immediate attention and comprehensive strategies from health care authorities to rectify this concerning trend and fortify the resilience of the health care system.
Collaboration Between MOH And MOHE
Efficient collaboration between the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) is essential to bridge gaps and ensure better health care outcomes.
Clear communication with specific objectives and anticipated outcomes are necessary to foster a more cohesive and effective health care system.
Implementing interdisciplinary training programmes for medical students, tailored to their academic schedules, can provide essential skills learning for them.
The workload among our health care workers can be reduced by providing opportunities for medical students to sharpen their skills under supervision.
Moreover, assessing the skills and competencies of available health care professionals ensures that responsibilities are delegated to individuals with appropriate expertise.
This diversified approach ensures a more efficient distribution of tasks, compensating for the diminished workforce and minimising the impact on patient care. Early intervention at the foundation level can mitigate the issue of doctor shortage.
In conclusion, we urge the MOH and the MOHE to promptly consider and address the aforementioned issues. While this protocol might be perceived as a temporary drastic measure taken to cope with the decrease in house officers or medical officers, it could impact the present and future of Malaysia’s health care sector.
Kavilan Murthi is the executive co-chair of Malaysian Medics International.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
