[Young Respiratory Physicians in Germany - Current Situation and Future Perspectives]

Area of Science:

• Medical Education and Training
• Healthcare Workforce Management
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Societal and demographic shifts, alongside economic factors, challenge hospital work environments and medical training organization.
• Increasing specialization and evolving norms necessitate re-evaluation of work structures for young physicians.
• Young respiratory physicians' perspectives on training quality and work environment organization are crucial for future healthcare planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the quality of medical training and work environment organization for young respiratory physicians in Germany.
• To identify key factors influencing job satisfaction and the effort-reward ratio among these physicians.
• To provide data for restructuring medical education and work environments to meet physician needs.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was conducted from September to November 2019 targeting young respiratory physicians in Germany.
• Participants were recruited via email through the German Respiratory Society (DGP) and the German Union of Pulmonologists (BdP).
• The questionnaire included up to 62 questions, assessing working conditions and the effort-reward imbalance using a validated scale.

Main Results:

• Out of 224 participants, 46% were satisfied with working conditions; 27% were unsure.
• Primary dissatisfaction drivers included long working hours, high workload, and lack of tailored work environment support.
• A significant majority (88.2%) reported an unfavorable effort-reward ratio, indicating imbalance despite overall satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• While the German healthcare system provides high-quality care, increasing demands create a 'gratification crisis' impacting physician well-being and job attractiveness.
• High workload and unfavorable effort-reward ratios threaten the growth of respiratory medicine by potentially causing physician migration or career changes.
• Addressing these systemic issues is vital to retain motivated young doctors and ensure the future of respiratory medicine.