Poor working conditions are the main reason doctors leave the public sector. And the safety and security of their families is the chief factor that drives them out of the country. These are among the findings of a survey of 2,229 doctors by the Colleges of Medicine of SA‚ reported in this month’s edition of the South African Medical Journal (SAMJ). Money was often suggested as the main reason doctors left the public sector or emigrated‚ said researchers Zephne van der Spuy‚ Tuviah Zabow and Andrew Good. But "better remuneration" was third, behind "better working environment" and "better workplace security", when doctors were asked why they wanted to go into private practice. And it was second only to "no suitable posts" among the least important reasons for emigrating. Working conditions and workplace security were the biggest gripes in the public sector. "The need for a better working environment is the main consideration for over half of the respondents across both the public and ...
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