NEW ZEALAND MEDICAL JOURNAL最新文献

Aim: In New Zealand, ophthalmologists encounter varying degrees of work stress, job satisfaction and burnout. Significant clinical demands, long work hours and high-pressure responsibilities increase the likelihood of burnout in this specialty. The present study aims to examine differences in ophthalmologists' work stress, job satisfaction and burnout across public hospital and private practice settings.

Method: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted using a modified Mini Z 2.0 Burnout Survey to assess workplace satisfaction, stress and burnout among 171 New Zealand ophthalmologists. Demographic and practice-related data were also collected.

Results: Out of 161 delivered surveys, 84 responses were received (52% response rate). Among respondents, 84.5% had public sector roles and 81% worked in the private sector. Twenty-one percent of public sector ophthalmologists reported a joyous workplace (Mini Z score ≥30) compared with 75% in the private sector. Public sector clinicians reported significantly higher burnout symptoms, stress levels and workplace disorder, as well as poorer workload control and misalignment with leadership, compared with their private sector counterparts.

Conclusion: The study highlights substantial disparities in job satisfaction and burnout between ophthalmologists working in the public and private sector. Factors such as excessive workload, bureaucratic inefficiencies and limited resource allocation in the public sector contribute to these differences. Adoption of private sector practices, including improved administrative support and autonomy, as well as public-private partnerships, may enhance retention and wellbeing in the public system.

Donald J Trump began his second term as president of the United States (US) in January 2025. Since then, his administration has abandoned the precedents necessary for good government, brushed aside restrictions on executive power, sacked tens of thousands of federal workers and undermined healthcare within the US and overseas. I argue the consequences of Trump's actions are so serious they must concern health professionals everywhere, and outline three ways to respond. These are: to actively and effectively support colleagues in the US; to do what we can to sustain health gains worldwide; and to oppose health-damaging Trump-like thinking in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Background: Drug use (including tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs) is a leading cause of premature death, health loss and health inequities in Aotearoa New Zealand. Effective prevention and early intervention have potential to reduce drug-related human suffering across the lifecourse, thus decreasing pressure on health and social services.

Methods: To inform policy and practice, we investigated drug harm indicators among secondary students in Aotearoa and identified sub-populations at greatest need. We used Youth19 survey data (N=7,721) to investigate five indicators related to e-cigarette, tobacco, alcohol or cannabis use: prevalence of 1) past month use, 2) heavy use, 3) worry about use, 4) desire to cut down or stop, and 5) reported difficulty accessing cessation help.

Results: We found many adolescents, particularly those who used tobacco, were worried about their own drug use and wanted to cut down, yet getting appropriate help was not always easy. Need was not evenly spread; Māori, Pacific and LGBTQ+ youth, those aged under 16 years and those living in small towns, rural areas and the most socio-economically deprived communities had higher needs on many indicators.

Conclusion: Greater investment in drug harm prevention and early intervention may be warranted, with a focus on under-served populations.