Controversy Over Working Conditions in Varanasi’s Neurosurgery Department
Allegations of Extreme Workload and Patient Safety Risks
A significant controversy has emerged regarding the working conditions of doctors and patient safety at Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Resident doctors from the Department of Neurosurgery have raised serious concerns about extreme workloads, a toxic work culture, systematic exploitation, and understaffing, all of which jeopardize patient safety. In a comprehensive note that gained traction on social media, these doctors highlighted the alarming working environment at this renowned health institution. They described their situation as “systemic exploitation,” which adversely affects both the medical staff and the patients.
Excessive Work Hours and Compromised Care
The resident doctors reported working nearly around the clock, often without adequate rest, leading to situations where patient safety is compromised. They mentioned the high demands of producing handwritten treatment charts for over 100 patients each day, even after being awake for 18 consecutive hours. This intense pressure has reportedly resulted in increased medical errors.
The doctors noted that under normal circumstances, a treatment chart prepared by a single doctor should remain in use for four to five days, with formal revisions occurring every five days, barring any necessary minor edits.
Concerns Over Understaffing and Non-Medical Duties
Another pressing issue raised by the residents is the understaffing within the department. They claimed that a significant portion of their time is consumed by non-medical clerical tasks, preventing them from providing immediate attention to critically ill patients.
Additionally, the doctors pointed out the existence of a “shadow OT list,” where 10 to 15 elective surgeries are scheduled daily. These require extensive preparation, including pre-anesthesia checks and consent forms, primarily handled by senior residents. However, many of these surgeries are reportedly canceled by afternoon, resulting in unnecessary exhaustion for the residents.
Allegations of a Toxic Work Culture
The resident doctors further alleged that the hierarchical structure at the Trauma Centre and within the Neurosurgery department has fostered a toxic environment. They claim that nursing and administrative responsibilities are being unfairly shifted onto them, including tasks such as drawing blood samples and completing paperwork for the Ayushman Bharat insurance scheme.
“Residents are coerced into performing duties that should be handled by nursing and administrative staff, becoming essentially phlebotomists and clerks,” the doctors stated. They expressed concern that the minimal involvement of nursing and administrative personnel has been normalized by hospital management.
Issues with Consultant Rounds and Treatment Instructions
The doctors also criticized the unscheduled and continuous rounds conducted by consultants from 10 AM to 6 PM, followed by night rounds at 8 PM. They reported that different consultants provide varying treatment instructions for each patient, leading to confusion and additional stress.
“Each consultant arrives at their own time with different orders, forcing residents to adapt constantly, which leaves no room for anything else,” the doctors explained. Such a culture of fear and “toxic seniority” is reportedly perpetuated by the leadership at the Trauma Centre, prioritizing junior residents’ busy schedules over their well-being and patient safety.
Doctors’ Demands for Change
Frustrated by the oppressive work environment, the resident doctors put forth several demands. They seek humane treatment from their superiors, proper delegation of responsibilities to ensure that nursing and clerical staff fulfill their roles, and an end to the intimidation tactics employed by consultants and management. Furthermore, they called for the appointment of additional staff to alleviate the overwhelming workload.
The doctors raised a critical question: “If residents are consistently under threat, engaged in continuous surgeries for a week, how can they maintain quality patient care?” They emphasized that they are not seeking an easier workload but rather a functional and sustainable working environment that ensures both their well-being and patient safety.