Is it typical in Australia for consultants to miss their scheduled shifts and leave the registrar in control? If they do show up, do they often shorten the ward round to just 30 minutes if they arrive late (e.g., around 2 PM) or early? Or is this scenario unique to specific hospitals? It’s quite disheartening.
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It’s not uncommon for consultants in Australia to occasionally be absent from their scheduled shifts, but the extent of this practice can vary widely between hospitals and departments. In many cases, registrars are expected to handle responsibilities in the absence of the consultant, ensuring that patient care continues smoothly.
Regarding ward rounds, if a consultant arrives late, they may indeed have to abbreviate the rounds, depending on the circumstances and patient needs. However, the standard practice is to prioritize patient care, so if time is limited, the focus will usually be on the most critical cases.
That said, this issue is often influenced by the specific hospital environment, team dynamics, and organizational culture. While some hospitals may have a more consistent approach to consultant presence and ward rounds, others may face challenges with staffing and time management that can lead to frustrations like the ones you’re expressing. It’s certainly disappointing when expectations aren’t met, and it’s important for staff to communicate their concerns with management to foster improvements.