AIM: At present, there are only a few reliable findings on the ever-increasing number of doctors employed in outpatient care. Therefore, some results of a nationwide quantitative survey of persons in this occupational group will be presented and discussed here. METHOD: The study is a standardized quantitative survey of physicians employed in the outpatient sector. The target population is represented by a disproportionately stratified sample from the databases of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians of the federal states. A total of 10,580 doctors were contacted and the response rate was 21.8%. The sample design not only allows descriptive analyses for small subpopulations to be carried out but also regional disparities to be taken into account. RESULTS: It can be shown that mainly young female doctors take up employment in the outpatient sector. 59% of doctors work part-time, the average weekly working time is 28.9 h. A medical office employs about 4 doctors and on average (median) about 30 people are treated per day. CONCLUSION: An important reason for the steady growth of this occupational group may be the flexibility of working hours and the possibility of part-time work, which in turn has a positive effect on the compatibility of family and career. Finally, yet importantly, this could be the reason why this occupational group seems to consist predominantly of young female doctors. Often, however, this kind of employment also represents a transitional model towards a private practice or - for former practice owners - into retirement. In general, however, being employed in outpatient care seems to be the desired "normal working model" for many doctors. Thieme. All rights reserved.
AIM: At present, there are only a few reliable findings on the ever-increasing number of doctors employed in outpatient care. Therefore, some results of a nationwide quantitative survey of persons in this occupational group will be presented and discussed here. METHOD: The study is a standardized quantitative survey of physicians employed in the outpatient sector. The target population is represented by a disproportionately stratified sample from the databases of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians of the federal states. A total of 10,580 doctors were contacted and the response rate was 21.8%. The sample design not only allows descriptive analyses for small subpopulations to be carried out but also regional disparities to be taken into account. RESULTS: It can be shown that mainly young female doctors take up employment in the outpatient sector. 59% of doctors work part-time, the average weekly working time is 28.9 h. A medical office employs about 4 doctors and on average (median) about 30 people are treated per day. CONCLUSION: An important reason for the steady growth of this occupational group may be the flexibility of working hours and the possibility of part-time work, which in turn has a positive effect on the compatibility of family and career. Finally, yet importantly, this could be the reason why this occupational group seems to consist predominantly of young female doctors. Often, however, this kind of employment also represents a transitional model towards a private practice or - for former practice owners - into retirement. In general, however, being employed in outpatient care seems to be the desired "normal working model" for many doctors. Thieme. All rights reserved.