Labor regulation of medical professionals in the universal health care system through the lens of health economics

The case of the amendment of the Labour Code in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Current events in the healthcare sector are aimed at amending the Labour Code, specifically section 93. Employees face more difficult working conditions as a result of this issue, despite the fact that this amendment is intended to protect them. The purpose of this thesis was to determine what information exists in academic, official, governmental, and discursive environments, as well as what relevant data can be extracted from the available sources to draw constructive conclusions. The entire subject is treated as a theoretical concept that analyses the situation from the standpoint of the Austrian school of economics and health economics and provides a useful perspective on the issue of health system regulation and reform.The findings reflect an opinionated reality that elicited a media response from the general public and medical personnel. There was an interim agreement on salary increases for doctors and non-medical staff in the health sector in this case. Although the Chamber of Deputies' action appears to be relatively settled, it is still practically unresolved whether doctors will be allowed to work up to twice as many hours of overtime, and although each 12-hour shift should be followed by eight hours of uninterrupted rest, we should probably brace ourselves for further possible Labor Code circumvention. Furthermore, it was noted that this and similar topics are rarely discussed in academic and scientific settings, and that there is a lack of a systemic perspective and evidence.