[Occupational decisions of young physicians and possible future consequences for the provision of medical care. Results of an anonymous questionnaire].

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken following a request of the Bavarian Ministry of Sciences, Research and the Arts to analyse the future provision in different occupational areas.
METHODS: In a preliminary enquiry, statistics of the Medical Association of Bavaria (BLAEK) were analysed for several years (2000-2004) to find out how many physicians are working in different occupational areas and fields, according to gender. In early 2004 a questionnaire was sent to all physicians who had received their licences to practise medicine in the four preceding years and were still reported to the Medical Association of Bavaria. At the time of the questioning the participants worked in Bavaria or abroad.
RESULTS: The study shows that, with regard to their growing share in the medical workforce and the role they will play in medical care in future, female physicians must be put into the focus of attention. Their decisions as to which career to pursue differ from those of their male colleagues because of their experience during their further training and their need to manage both a family and a job. Another finding is that the participants of the survey are not content with their working conditions. They criticize that they have to spend too much of their working time with documentation and other administrative duties so that there is not enough time left for their patients. Many complain about the heavy responsibility of their jobs and too much work in relation to their remuneration.
CONCLUSION: To prevent a future shortage in medical care, the following measures should be taken: creation of family-oriented working conditions in hospitals; support of female physicians in their careers; increase of attractiveness of hospital employment.