The survey involved some 100,000 staff members in the country, spanning over the past four months.
The task force also said it found no conclusive evidence that a Penang Hospital houseman who had fallen to his death in April could be linked to workplace abuse.
However, the investigators found “varying levels” of burnout and bullying in government health facilities, saying it was not confined to housemen alone.
They also found housemen to be subject to long working hours which, they said, was due to failure to comply with the work hours guideline set by the ministry.
“We also find the need for the ministry to optimise human resources and infrastructure facilities to ensure continuity of patient care,” a statement by the task force, led by UCSI vice-chancellor Siti Hamisah Tapsir, read.
The investigation was ordered by the health minister following claims of toxic workplace culture at government hospitals and clinics across the country, following the death of a Penang Hospital houseman early this year.
The task force further said the complaints mechanism ought to be improved to ensure the secrecy of grievances.
It also outlined 10 proposals to the health ministry to improve services at all health facilities, but did not go into details.
The notable proposals include improvements to the medical qualifications committee and pre-screening of incoming housemen.
“We feel that a career in the medical field requires individuals that are able to take on workplace challenges, besides being truly committed. They (potential housemen) must be ready to face high workloads for long periods of time.
“We hope the ministry would ensure improvements to the system, and SOPs and come up with new rules that are more suited for current times,” the task force said.
On April 17, the houseman fell to his death from his apartment just three weeks after being posted to the hospital.
A month later, the health ministry revealed that it would be forming an independent task force to investigate the death.
In December 2020, a trainee doctor at Penang Hospital also fell to his death, three weeks after quitting his job.