Abstract
Aims: To document demography, changing workload patterns, job satisfaction, morale, and prevalence of stress and psychological morbidity among UK consultant medical microbiologists and virologists. Method: A questionnaire survey of all identified UK practising consultant medical microbiologists and virologists (n= 464). Results: Among 367 respondents (79%), there were 33 virologists and at least 89 single handed consultants. Over half the respondents (58%) were working a 1:1 or 1:2 on call rota during the week and a similar proportion (51%)at weekends. Of all consultants (including those working part time), 56% were working more than 48 hours weekly. Working more than 48 hours weekly, and being on call 1:1 or 1:2 at weekends, were both independently associated with increased psychological morbidity. Those on call 1:1 or 1:2 at weekends were also more likely to have low or very low morale. Female consultants were more likely to have higher stress scores. More than half of the respondents (208 of 363; 57%) were making active financial provision to retire early, and 198 of 363 (55%) did not intend to work beyond the age of 60. Conclusions: The long hours worked by many consultant microbiologists and virologists are in breach of the European Working Time Directive and are associated with a higher degree of psychological morbidity. For most consultants, the frequency of on call commitments is demanding and job satisfaction and morale have deteriorated. Urgent action is needed, particularly to support those working more than 48 hours each week and those on call at weekends 1:1 or 1:2. However, a major expansion of the consultant establishment cannot be achieved rapidly, and will be slowed further if early retirements become more frequent.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 200-205 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of Clinical Pathology |
| Volume | 55 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2002 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The evidence discussed in this paper has been presented by the authors during the Expert Workshop “Saturated Fat and Health: A Nutrient or Food Approach?” held in February 2020 in Washington, DC. The workshop was funded by the Nutrition Coalition—a nonprofit nonpartisan educational organization whose primary goal is ensuring that U.S. nutrition policy is based on rigorous scientific evidence—in part with a generous grant from philanthropists Robert G. and Sue Douthit O'Donnell, of California. The sponsors had no role in preparing or reviewing the manuscript before submission. Dr. Astrup has received research funding from Danish Dairy Foundation, Arla Foods Amba, and the European Milk Foundation; has received speaker honoraria for the Expert Symposium on the Dairy Matrix 2016 sponsored by the European Milk Foundation; and has served on the advisory board and as a consultant for McCain Foods Limited and Weight Watchers. Dr. Bier has served as a consultant and/or received lecture fees and/or reimbursements for travel, hotel and other expenses from the International Life Sciences Institute, the International Council on Amino Acid Science, Nutrition and Growth Solutions, Ajinomoto, the Lorenzini Foundation, the CrossFit Foundation, the International Glutamate Technical Committee, Nestlé S.A., Ferrero SpA, Indiana University, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, the Infant Nutrition Council of America, and the Israel Institute. Dr. Brenna has received research funding from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association/North Dakota Beef Council; has received panel participation honorarium from Dairy Management (2017); and is a shareholder in Retrotope. Dr. Hill has received research funding from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association; has served as a member of the scientific advisory committee of the Milk Producers Education Program (Milk PEP) and the health and wellness advisory board for General Mills; and is a trustee of the International Life Science Institute. Drs. Mente and Yusuf have received research funding from the Dairy Farmers of Canada and the National Dairy Council to analyze data on dairy consumption and health outcomes in the PURE study, which is funded by the Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences Research Institute, and more than 70 other sources (government and pharmaceutical). Dr. Ordovas has received research funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture on personalized nutrition, and Archer Daniels Midland on probiotics; and has served on the scientific advisory board or as a consultant for Nutrigenomix, the Predict Study, GNC, and Weight Watchers. Dr. Volek has received research funding from the Lotte and John Hecht Memorial Foundation, Metagenics, National Dairy Council/Dutch Dairy Organization, Malaysian Palm Board, and Pruvit Ventures; has received royalties for books on ketogenic diets; has served on the scientific advisory board for Virta Health, UCAN, Advancing Ketogenic Therapies, Cook Keto, Axcess Global, and Atkins Nutritionals; owns equity in PangeaKeto and Virta Health; and is founder of and chief science officer for Virta Health. Dr. Krauss has received research funding from Dairy Management; has served on the scientific advisory board for Virta Health and Day Two; and has a licensed patent for a method of lipoprotein particle measurement. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose.