Mandatory work duty for students to tackle lack of healthcare staff: the Czech experience

MALÝ, Ivan. Mandatory work duty for students to tackle lack of healthcare staff: the Czech experience. Brussels: European Commission: European Commission, 2021, 2 pp. ESPN Flash Report 2020/65.

Basic information

• Original name: Mandatory work duty for students to tackle lack of healthcare staff: the Czech experience
• Name in Czech: Pracovní povinnost studentů jako řešení nedostatku zdravotnických pracovníků: zkušenosti z ČR
• Name (in English): Mandatory work duty for students to tackle lack of healthcare staff: the Czech experience
• Authors: MALÝ, Ivan.
• Edition: Brussels: European Commission, 2 pp. ESPN Flash Report 2020/65, 2021.
• Publisher: European Commission

Other information

• Type of outcome: Special-purpose publication
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: URL
• Keywords (in Czech): COVID_19, zdravotnictví,,pracovní povinnost
• Keywords in English: COVID_19, healthcare, mandatory duty
• Tags: COVID-19, human resource management, public policy
• Tags: International impact

Abstract

The second wave of COVID-19 has hit Czechia massively, especially between 6 October and 13 November 2020. The number of hospitalised patients reached 20 times the spring maximum. COVID-19 was spreading rapidly among healthcare professionals, and the government introduced mandatory work for some categories of students (mostly those studying health-related subjects) to tackle staff shortages. This situation, which was giving rise to growing criticism has just been stopped (from 16 December).

Abstract (in Czech)

Druhá vlna COVID-19 zasáhla Česko masivně, zejména mezi 6. říjnem a 13. listopadem 2020. Počet hospitalizovaných pacientů dosáhl dvacetinásobku jarního maxima. COVID-19 se rychle rozšířil mezi zdravotnickými pracovníky a vláda zavedla povinnou práci pro některé kategorie studentů (většinou těch, kteří studují předměty související se zdravím) s cílem řešit nedostatek zaměstnanců. Tato situace, která vyvolala rostoucí kritiku, byla právě zastavena (od 16. prosince).

Abstract (in English)

Apart from various social distancing measures, travel restrictions and widespread testing, the Czech government also adopted effective measures to maximise intensive care capacity for COVID-19 patients. This has helped to prevent overloading of inpatient care units and a collapse of the medical system. However, the volume of other medical services provided fell significantly, causing problems both to patients and to providers of medical services. The Ministry of Health has responded to this situation and stabilised the healthcare system.