Objectives: In Germany, the 2018 amended Maternity Protection Act frequently leads to fundamental restrictions for female physicians, especially surgeons, and now even also for students impeding the progress of their careers. Our goal was to assess the current situation for pregnant female physicians and students, respectively, and their perspective on this amendment regarding their career path. Methods: A nationwide survey was conducted in Germany from December 2020 to February 2021. The questionnaire included 790 female physicians and students who were pregnant after the inception of the amended Act. Those women pregnant after the beginning of the corona pandemic were excluded. Results: The survey revealed that two thirds of female physicians worked a maximum of 50% in their previous professional activity as soon as they reported pregnancy. Amongst medical students this amounted up to 72%. 18% of the female physicians and 17% of the female medical students respectively could not follow the sense of these restrictions. 44% of female medical physicians and 33% of female students felt their career impeded. This led up to 43% amongst female medical doctors and 53% amongst female medical students, respectively, who were concerned to announce their pregnancy. As a consequence, pregnancies were reported at 12 weeks in female physicians compared to 19 weeks in medical students. Conclusions: Analyses of the current survey revealed that a relevant number of female physicians and medical students felt impeded in their career path through the application of the amended Maternity Act.
BACKGROUND: At least two thirds of medical students are female. How can they be won over in the competition for the best heads and hands in the field of orthopedics and trauma surgery? 25% of the inpatient surgeons are female, while the proportion of women in managerial positions is only 5%. GOAL OF THE WORK (QUESTION): How do the specialist field and the specialist society have to change in order to be attractive for the younger generation, and be regarded as a dream job? MATERIAL AND METHODS: With the help of surveys and scientific literature, the following problem areas are identified and highlighted: What do today's young doctors want? How should employers and superiors behave in relation to the women-specific life events of pregnancy, maternity leave and breastfeeding? How to enable female surgeons to continue operating as desired in accordance with the law? Often in clinics, care is not taken to provide female surgeons with individually sized instruments. A manufacturer survey was carried out for this purpose. How can we counteract the sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace? How can male and female professionals achieve a more equal balance between family and work in the clinic and practice? RESULTS: The Gender Bias, the glass ceiling, the lack of female role models and female mentors mean that female surgeons do not have equal opportunities. The gender pay gap and the gender care gap are discussed and presented with data. Significantly, there is a specific lack of data on the gender pay gap in Germany. The everyday clinical practice and the professional society are still a man's world. In order to attract a sufficient number of young professionals, the working environment and participation in committees must be transformed into a world that is equal for male and female surgeons. DISCUSSION: With regard to the identified problem areas, suggestions for improvement for active implementation are listed.
Orthopedic Procedures , Orthopedics , Surgeons , Female , Germany , Humans , Male , Pregnancy , Sexism , Surveys and Questionnaires
OBJECTIVES: Worldwide, not only the number of female medical students, but also of female surgeons increases. Simultaneously, younger generations take a closer look to their work-life balance. With this in mind, it seems necessary to evaluate the expectations of female surgeons in particular with respect to pregnancy during their surgical career. METHODS: Therefore, a nationwide survey was conducted in Germany from July to December 2016 under the auspices of the German Society of Surgery as well as the Professional Board of German Surgeons. The questionnaire involved 2,294 female surgeons and 1,843 complete records were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the analyzed answers, 62% of the women (n=781) were operating during pregnancy. The joy of surgery (91.6%), followed by team spirit (57.1%), were the main motivations to perform operations while pregnant. Operative activity decreased from 30.8% in the first 3 months of pregnancy to 21.5% during the last three months. Regarding the possible complaints, e.g., leg edema, back pain, premature labor and vaginal bleeding, there were no significant differences between the women with or without activity in the operating room. Sick leave due to pregnancy (1-10 days) was stated by 40.4% of respondents. CONCLUSION: Despite strong legal regulations for pregnant surgeons, the survey showed that most female surgeons are eager to operate despite their pregnancy. The results also demonstrate no significant differences regarding complications during pregnancy- or pregnant-dependent absence from work. Hospitals and surgical departments are asked to establish proper working conditions for pregnant surgeons and pregnancy should not be an obstacle for a career in surgery.
PURPOSE: Work-life balance is an upcoming issue for physicians. The working group "Family and Career" of the German Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG) designed a survey to reflect the present work-life balance of female and male gynecologists in Germany. METHODS: The 74-item, web-based survey "Profession-Family-Career" was sent to all members of the DGGG (n = 4,564). In total, there were 1,036 replies (23%) from 75% female gynecologists (n = 775) aged 38 ± 7 (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) years and 25% male (n = 261) gynecologists aged 48 ± 11 years. Statistical analyses were performed using the mean and SD for descriptive analysis. Regression models were performed considering an effect of p ≤ 0.05 as statistically significant. RESULTS: 47% women and 46% men reported satisfaction with their current work-life balance independent of gender (p(gender) = 0.15). 70% women and 75 % men answered that work life and private life were equally important to them (p(gender) = 0.12). While 39% women versus 11% men worked part-time (p gender < 0.0001), men reported more overtime work than women (p(gender) < 0.0001). 75 % physicians were not satisfied with their salary independent of gender (p(gender) = 0.057). Work life affected private life of men and women in a similar way (all p(gender) > 0.05). At least 37% women and men neglected both their partner and their children very often due to their work. CONCLUSIONS: Female physicians often described their work situation similar to male physicians, although important differences regarding total work time, overtime work and appreciation by supervisors were reported. Work life affected private life of women and men in a similar way.
Gynecology , Job Satisfaction , Obstetrics , Personal Satisfaction , Physicians/psychology , Quality of Life/psychology , Adult , Employment/psychology , Family/psychology , Female , Germany , Humans , Internet , Male , Middle Aged
Although depression and symptoms of depression belong to the most common disorders in private practice, affected patients are not always diagnosed as early as possible in Germany and often not sufficiently treated. In order to improve the care for persons with depression it is necessary that family doctors are prepared to guide these patients with empathy, treat them adequately pharmacologically both in respect to the depression and to all other somatic aspects and to refer them in time to specialists for psychiatry, psychosomatic medicine or psychotherapy. Political and social conditions that have pathogenic effects should be changed and the shortage of psychotherapy needs to be overcome. In future, the integrated care in ambulant and clinical settings will probably be successful, first trials and test setups have shown good results.
Depressive Disorder/therapy , Health Policy , National Health Programs , Private Practice , Social Conditions , Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use , Combined Modality Therapy , Depressive Disorder/diagnosis , Empathy , Family Practice , Germany , Health Services Needs and Demand , Humans , Psychotherapy , Referral and Consultation , Somatoform Disorders/diagnosis , Somatoform Disorders/therapy
