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TimesLIVE reports that a survey of 204 doctors has shown that one in 10 have suicidal thoughts during Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA) investigations into allegations against them of unprofessional conduct.
Conducted by the Medical Protection Society (MPS), which protects the professional interests of 30,000 healthcare professionals in SA, the survey was done among those investigated by the HPCSA between 2018 and 2022. Eighty-three percent said the investigation caused stress and anxiety, while 61% said it had a detrimental effect on their mental wellbeing. Nineteen percent considered leaving the medical profession or SA to practise in a different country as a result of their investigation. One in 10 (11%) said they experienced suicidal thoughts during the process. In addition, 71% of practitioners said the length of the HPCSA investigation affected their mental wellbeing, for some lasting many years, while 81% said the initial, unexpected notification of the investigation affected them most. Doctors spoke of a “guilty until proven innocent” tone in the initial HPCSA letter. This has prompted the MPS to call for “significant changes in how the HPCSA investigates allegations of unprofessional conduct against healthcare practitioners”. The MPS advised: “The constructive engagement we have had with the HPCSA on this issue and their willingness to consider a number of our recommendations is positive. We hope to continue this dialogue.”
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Suthentira Govender at BusinessLive
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