In 2023, among employed palliative medicine physicians and palliative care nurses (Figure 2), on average:
- palliative medicine physicians worked less hours than all employed specialist medical practitioners (an average 38 total hours per week compared to 41 hours), this same pattern was observed for clinical hours as well (29 and 35 hours per week, respectively)
- palliative care nurses, worked similar total and clinical hours as all employed nurses and midwives (an average of 34 total hours and 31 clinical hours)
- males worked slightly longer hours than females both for palliative medicine physicians (an average of 39 versus 36.5 total hours) and palliative care nurses (37 versus 33 total hours), consistent with the pattern observed for all employed specialist medical practitioners and all employed nurses and midwives
- total hours worked increased with remoteness for palliative medicine physicians, rising from 37 total hours in Major cities to 40 total hours in Outer regional areas. The pattern amongst palliative care nurses was less clear, with no consistent trend observed across remoteness areas.
Figure 2 provides further details on working hours by work setting and principal role.
