Polish doctors work extreme hours, some exceeding 500 monthly shifts

Doctors in Poland are working exceptionally long hours, with some reporting monthly shifts that far exceed typical work expectations. One anonymous family doctor recounted working up to 519 hours in a single month during the early days of telemedicine, often involving night shifts and constant phone consultations. While this doctor now works fewer hours, around 100-150 monthly, to prepare for emigration, they note that family doctors commonly work 250 hours, and hospital doctors average about 200 hours.

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When I started my adventure with medicine, I didn't work less than 300 hours a month. That was the minimum. Record? 519 hours in one month.

The system allows for shifts that can extend to 24 hours or more, with some doctors working consecutive shifts without adequate rest. Anesthesiologists described working until 3 p.m. and then continuing on a night shift until morning, and some have even taken on entire weekends of duty. This practice of going directly from a night shift to another work commitment, such as in a clinic, is also reportedly common, raising serious questions about the physical and mental well-being of medical professionals.

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It happens that doctors take entire weekends and work from Friday to Monday morning.

Financial incentives appear to be a major driver for these demanding schedules. Hourly rates can range from 110-130 Polish zloty ($28-$34) in larger cities to over 180 zloty ($46) in areas with doctor shortages. A resident doctor might earn around 8,000 zloty ($2,050) basic salary, but with significant overtime, potentially adding another 24,000-25,000 zloty ($6,150-$6,400) gross. Doctors cite a desire to maintain a certain lifestyle, purchase property, travel, or save money as reasons for taking on such heavy workloads, with some admitting it is "tiring and burning out" in the long run.

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You get used to it.