Abstract
Introduction Working conditions are changing rapidly in medicine. We analyzed the actual work
situation and future plans in the next 5 years and in the long term.
Materials and Methods A survey among the members of the German Society of Pediatric Surgery was performed
asking how and where physicians work now and how and where they want to work in the
future.
Results Five hundred twelve questionnaires were sent out, and 195 colleagues answered the
questionnaire (99 women, 94 men, and 2 of unknown gender). Among them, 27% were trainees,
16% were fully trained pediatric surgeons, 6% were senior physicians, and 50% were
consultants, while 66% worked full time, 25% worked part time, and 8% did not work
in pediatric surgery. In the future, 49% of consultants and 24% of the trainees wanted
to work part time. Among the 73 participants who wanted to become a department head,
33% of them also wanted to work part time.
Conclusion Pediatric surgery is changing toward a discipline with many female doctors and people
working part time. Leaders in pediatric surgery should be aware of this development
to adapt their working conditions to reality.
Keywords
pediatric surgery - working conditions - part time - female - workforce
