Remuneration of donors for cell and gene therapies: an update on the principles and perspective of the World Marrow Donor Association.

The cell and gene therapy (CGT) sector has witnessed significant advancement over the past decade, the inception of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) being one of the most transformational. ATMPs treat serious medical conditions, in some cases providing curative therapy for seriously ill patients. There is interest in pivoting the ATMP development from autologous based treatments to allogenic, to offer faster and greater patient access that should ultimately reduce treatment costs. Consequently, starting material from allogenic donors is required, igniting ethical issues associated with financial gains and donor remuneration within CGT. The World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA) established the Cellular Therapy Committee to identify the role WMDA can play in safeguarding donors and patients in the CGT field. Here we review key ethical principles in relation to donating cellular material for the CGT field. We present the updated statement from WMDA on donor remuneration, which supports non-remuneration as the best way to ensure the safety and well-being of donors and patients alike. This is in line with the fundamental objective of the WMDA to maintain the health and safety of volunteer donors while ensuring high-quality stem cell products are available for all patients. We acknowledge that the CGT field is evolving at a rapid pace and there will be a need to review this position as new practices and applications come to pass.

Estresse ocupacional entre psicólogos atuantes na atenção primária à saúde no contexto pandêmico / Occupational stress in psychologists working in primary health care in the context of the pandemic / Estrés laboral entre los psicólogos que trabajan en atención primaria de salud en el contexto de la pandemia

Este estudo analisa o estresse ocupacional entre psicólogos que atuavam na Atenção Primária à Saúde durante a pandemia ocasionada pela covid-19, assim como as características sociodemográficas e laborais dos participantes e sua relação com o estresse ocupacional. Participaram da pesquisa 70 psicólogos atuantes em 51 unidades básicas de saúde das regiões Oeste e Extremo Oeste catarinense. Para coleta de dados, um questionário sociodemográfico e a versão reduzida da Job Stress Scale (JSS) foram aplicados. A análise dos dados foi realizada por meio da estatística descritiva e inferencial. Identificou-se que 35,7% dos psicólogos apresentaram alto desgaste no trabalho; 28,6% baixo desgaste; 27,1% se mostraram em trabalho passivo; e 8,6% em trabalho ativo. No modelo de regressão linear, os fatores associados à dimensão Demanda da JSS foram: possuir filho (a) (coeficiente -1,49; IC 95% -2,75 a -0,23) e afastamento do trabalho nos últimos 12 meses (coeficiente 1,88; IC 95% 0,60 a 3,15). Os psicólogos com hipertensão arterial sistêmica autorreferida apresentaram, em média, 3,96 pontos a menos no escore de Apoio social (IC 95% -7,06 a -0,85), quando comparados aos não hipertensos, e entre os psicólogos que trabalhavam no turno da manhã identificou-se aumento de 4,46 pontos, em média, no escore de Apoio social (IC 95% 0,90 a 8,02) em relação aos profissionais do turno manhã e tarde. Evidenciou-se que um número significativo de psicólogos apresentava-se em alto desgaste no trabalho, com potenciais implicações para sua saúde e atuação profissional.(AU)

This study analyzed occupational stress among psychologists who worked in Primary Health Care during the COVID-19 pandemic and participants' sociodemographic and work characteristics and their relationship with occupational stress. In total, 70 psychologists working in 51 basic health units in the West and Far West regions of Santa Catarina participated in this research. A sociodemographic questionnaire and the short version of the Job Stress Scale (JSS) were applied to collect data. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. In total, 35.7% of psychologists showed high stress at work; 28.6%, low burn out; 27.1%, passive work; and 8.6%, active work. The factors in the linear regression model that were associated with the JSS demand dimension referred to having children (coefficient −1.49; 95% CI −2.75 to −0.23) and absence from work in the last 12 months (coefficient 1.88; 95% CI 0.60 to 3.15). Psychologists with self-reported systemic arterial hypertension showed, on average, 3.96 points lower in the Social Support score (95% CI −7.06 to −0.85) than non-hypertensive ones and psychologists who worked in the morning shift, an average increase of 4.46 points in the Social Support score (95% CI 0.90 to 8.02) in relation to professionals working in the morning and afternoon shifts. A significant number of psychologists had high stress at work, with potential implications to their health and professional performance.(AU)

Este estudio evalúa el estrés laboral entre los psicólogos que trabajaron en la atención primaria de salud durante la pandemia provocada por la COVID-19, así como las características sociodemográficas y laborales de ellos y su relación con el estrés laboral. En la investigación participaron setenta psicólogos que trabajan en 51 unidades básicas de salud en las regiones oeste y lejano oeste de Santa Catarina (Brasil). Para la recolección de datos se aplicó un cuestionario sociodemográfico y la versión corta de la Job Stress Scale (JSS). El análisis de los datos se realizó mediante estadística descriptiva e inferencial. Se identificó que el 35,7% de los psicólogos presentaban alto estrés en el trabajo; el 28,6% tenían poco desgaste; el 27,1% se encontraban en trabajo pasivo; y el 8,6% en trabajo activo. En el modelo de regresión lineal, los factores asociados a la dimensión demanda de la JSS fueron: tener hijo (coeficiente -1,49; IC 95% -2,75 a -0,23) y baja laboral en los últimos 12 meses (coeficiente 1,88; IC 95% 0,60 a 3,15). Los psicólogos con hipertensión arterial sistémica autoinformada presentaron un promedio de 3,96 puntos más bajo en la puntuación de apoyo social (IC 95% -7,06 a -0,85) en comparación con los no hipertensos, y entre los psicólogos que trabajaban en el turno de la mañana, se identificó un aumento promedio de 4,46 puntos en la puntuación de apoyo social (IC 95% 0,90 a 8,02) con relación a los profesionales que laboran en el turno de mañana y tarde. Quedó evidente que un número significativo de psicólogos se encontraba en situación de alto estrés en el trabajo, con posibles implicaciones para su salud y desempeño profesional.(AU)

Contemporary slave labor and subjectivity: psychosocial perspectives on the enslaved's narratives / Trabalho escravo contemporâneo e subjetividade: considerações psicossociais sobre narrativas de escravizado(a)s / Trabajo esclavo contemporáneo y subjetividad: consideraciones psicosociales sobre narrativas de personas esclavizadas

This study addresses the relation between subjectivity and contemporary enslaved labor from the enslaved workers' narratives in Brazil. A qualitative social research was carried out based on a constructionist perspective. We sought interaction with rescued workers and used (a) participant observation of workers' routine in an institutional project that supports them and a field diary, (b) semi-structured and open individual interviews with workers and a member of the team project. The fieldwork lasted a year and a half and the analysis followed Content Analysis. Freudian theory and Foucault's thought were used for interpretation, which managed to understand aspects of workers' experiences, exploitation characteristics, parental abandonment, as well as the tensions in self-classification as enslaved. The narratives pointed to a dramatic reality manifested in body exploitation, authoritarian abuses, violence, and negligence. At the same time, these narratives showed forms of worker resistance that calls for further investigations to increase knowledge on the subjective experiences of those who were enslaved.(AU)

O artigo aborda as relações entre subjetividade e trabalho escravo contemporâneo a partir da narrativa de trabalhadores(as) escravazados(as). Foi realizada uma pesquisa social qualitativa em uma perspectiva construcionista. Buscamos a interação com trabalhadores resgatados e realizamos a observação participante da rotina de trabalhadores atendidos em um projeto institucional, com diário de campo, e entrevistas individuais (semiestruturadas e abertas) com trabalhadores(as) e equipe do projeto institucional. O trabalho de campo durou um ano e meio, e a pesquisa foi realizada com o suporte da Análise de Conteúdo. Para a interpretação utilizamos aportes da teoria freudiana e do pensamento de Foucault, com os quais foi possível compreender aspectos das vivências dos trabalhadores, características da exploração, abandonos parentais e tensões em torno da autoclassificação como "escravo". As narrativas apontaram uma realidade dramática manifesta na exploração do corpo, em abusos autoritários, na violência e negligência. Ao mesmo tempo, as narrativas evidenciaram formas de resistência dos trabalhadores que convocam mais investigações para adensar o conhecimento sobre as experiências subjetivas desses que estão num lugar de escravizado(a).(AU)

Este artículo aborda la relación entre la subjetividad y el trabajo esclavo contemporáneo desde la narrativa de trabajadores esclavizados. Se realizó una investigación social cualitativa desde una perspectiva construccionista. Buscamos la interacción con los trabajadores liberados y utilizamos la observación participante de la rutina de los trabajadores atendidos en un proyecto institucional, diario de campo y entrevistas individuales (semiestructuradas y abiertas) con trabajadores y miembros del equipo del proyecto institucional. El trabajo de campo duró un año y medio, y se utilizó como apoyo el análisis de contenido. Para la interpretación se utilizaron aportes de la teoría freudiana y el pensamiento de Foucault, con lo que fue posible comprender aspectos de las vivencias de los trabajadores, características del escenario de explotación, abandono parental y las tensiones relacionadas con la autoclasificación "esclavo". Las narrativas apuntan a una realidad dramática manifestada en la explotación del cuerpo, abuso autoritario, violencia y abandono. Al mismo tiempo, evidenciaron formas de resistencia por parte de los trabajadores, que reclaman más investigaciones para profundizar en el conocimiento sobre las vivencias subjetivas de quienes se encuentran en esclavitud.(AU)

Comparing financing models for supplementary healthcare in appendectomy: activity-based costing (fee-for-service) vs. diagnosis related group remuneration (bundled payment) - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: In Brazil, healthcare services traditionally follow a fee-for-service (FFS) payment system, in which each medical procedure incurs a separate charge. An alternative reimbursement with the aim of reducing costs is diagnosis related group (DRG) remuneration, in which all patient care is covered by a fixed amount. This work aimed to perform a systematic review followed by meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of the Budled Payment for Care Improvement (BPCI) versus FFS. METHODS: Our work was performed following the items of the PRISMA report. We included only observational trials, and the primary outcome assessed was the effectiveness of FFS and DRG in appendectomy considering complications. We also assessed the costs and length of hospital stay. Meta-analysis was performed with Rev Man version 5.4. RESULTS: Out of 735 initially identified articles, six met the eligibility criteria. We demonstrated a shorter hospital stay associated with the DRG model (mean difference = 0.39; 95% confidence interval - 95%CI - 0.38-0.40; p < 0.00001; I2 = 0%), however the hospital readmission rate was higher in this model (odds ratio = 1.57; 95%CI 1.02-2.44, p = 0.04; I2 = 90%). CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a potential decrease in the length of stay for appendectomy patients using the DRG approach. However, no significant differences were observed in other outcomes analysis between the two approaches.

Health expenditure: how much is spent on health and care worker remuneration? An analysis of 33 low- and middle-income African countries.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the amount spent on health and care workforce (HCW) remuneration in the African countries, its importance as a proportion of country expenditure on health, and government involvement as a funding source. METHODS: Calculations are based on country-produced disaggregated health accounts data from 33 low- and middle-income African countries, disaggregated wherever possible by income and subregional economic group. RESULTS: Per capita expenditure HCW remuneration averaged US$ 38, or 29% of country health expenditure, mainly coming from domestic public sources (three-fifths). Comparable were the contributions from domestic private sources and external aid, measured at around one-fifth each-23% and 17%, respectively. Spending on HCW remuneration was uneven across the 33 countries, spanning from US$ 3 per capita in Burundi to US$ 295 in South Africa. West African countries, particularly members of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), were lower spenders than countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), both in terms of the share of country health expenditure and in terms of government efforts/participation. By income group, HCW remuneration accounted for a quarter of country health expenditure in low-income countries, compared to a third in middle-income countries. Furthermore, an average 55% of government health expenditure is spent on HCW remuneration, across all countries. It was not possible to assess the impact of fragile and vulnerable countries, nor could we draw statistics by type of health occupation. CONCLUSIONS: The results clearly show that the remuneration of the health and care workforce is an important part of government health spending, with half (55%) of government health spending on average devoted to it. Comparing HCW expenditure components allows for identifying stable sources, volatile sources, and their effects on HCW investments over time. Such stocktaking is important, so that countries, WHO, and other relevant agencies can inform necessary policy changes.

Local government debt and labor income share: Evidence from China.

This study employs a CES production function to construct a theoretical model of labor income share and uses a two-way fixed effects model to test the causal effects of local government debt (LGD) on the labor income share of enterprises. Local government debt governance policies are utilized as exogenous shocks, and a DID (Difference-in-Differences) model is applied for endogeneity testing. The results have passed a series of robustness checks. The findings suggest that LGD decreases the share of firms' labor income. The mechanism analysis suggests that LGD lowers the labor remuneration of residents, the employment of labor in enterprises, and the size of bank loans mainly; while raising the cost of using funds in enterprises. Moreover, this negative effect is more apparent in non-state-owned enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises, and enterprises with high financing constraints. This study presents new evidence on how the labor income share of enterprises is affected from the perspective by local governments in China. It has important implications for further deepening local government debt governance and achieving common prosperity.

[The attitude and willingness to blood donorship among student youth of metropolis].

The shortage of blood donors is significant problem of Russian health care. The potential of involving new blood donors can be found, in particular, in activities on popularization of blood donor practices among students. The empirical study was carried out in 2022 to determine attitude of students and their willingness to take part in practices of blood donorship. The online survey of university students was implemented based on representative quota sampling of 1 135 respondents with gender, educational status and place of residence controlled. The results demonstrate complicated picture of motives and factors predetermining personal strategies and experiences of participation in blood donorship. The contradiction between positive attitude to blood donorship declared by students and passive behavioral practices was revealed. The motivation for blood donorship, mainly individual, is assessed as personal choice of student. The motivation based on altruism and desire to provide effective help is determinative. However, such obstacles of implementing blood donorship practices as insufficient information about possibilities and consequences of blood donorship, distrust of health care system, fear of blood collection procedure, lack of remuneration.

El conflicto de intereses en la profesión médica: omnipresente e inevitable / The conflict of interest in the medical profession: pervasive and inevitable

Resumen Objetivo: Describir los conflictos de intereses en la profesión médica, su naturaleza omnipresente y la importancia de la transparencia para la preservación de la integridad y la objetividad en la práctica médica y la investigación. Métodos: Para la fundamentación de este artículo, se revisaron diferentes publicaciones sobre el conflicto de intereses, incluidos editoriales, ensayos éticos, tratados filosóficos y textos legales tanto nacionales como internacionales. Resultados: De acuerdo con la literatura consultada, en el ejercicio profesional de la medicina, los conflictos de intereses son omnipresentes, derivan de diversas fuentes y pueden alterar de manera consciente o inconsciente la práctica médica. Conclusión: Tener apertura sobre los propios conflictos de intereses y declararlos debidamente permite a todos, incluidos pacientes, colegas, empleadores y público general, juzgar por sí mismos si una relación en particular puede estar influyendo en las acciones de un médico.

Abstract Objectives: To describe conflicts of interest in the medical profession, their pervasive nature, and the importance of transparency for the preservation of integrity and objectivity in medical practice and research. Methods: For the substantiation of this article, different publications on the subject were reviewed, including editorials, ethical essays, philosophical treatises, and legal texts both national and international. Results: According to the literature consulted, in the professional practice of medicine conflicts of interest are omnipresent, derive from various sources and can consciously or unconsciously alter medical practice. Conclusion: Being open about one's own conflicts of interest and properly declaring them allows everyone, including patients, colleagues, employers, and the public, to judge for themselves whether a particular relationship may be influencing a doctor's actions.

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists' National Ophthalmology Database study of cataract surgery: report 16, influence of remuneration model on choice of intraocular lens in the UK.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is one of the most commonly performed surgeries worldwide. Within the UK, publicly funded cataract surgery is remunerated by two models: (1) "block contract" (BC), which commissions organisations to deliver whole service pathways without considering specific activity items; or (2) "payment by results" (PbR), which pays a tariff price for each procedure. This study aimed to examine the association between remuneration model and the cost and types of IOL used. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Cataract operations recorded on the Royal College of Ophthalmologists' National Ophthalmology Database were included, with additional data collected for remuneration model from NHS England and cost of IOL from the NHS Spend Comparison Service. RESULTS: We included 907,052 cataract operations from 87 centres. The majority of operations were performed in PbR centres (456 198, 50.3%), followed by BC centres (240 641, 26.5%) and mixed models centres (210 213, 23.2%). The mean price of hydrophobic (n = 7) and hydrophilic IOLs (n = 5) were £45.72 and £42.86, respectively. Hydrophobic IOLs were predominantly used (650 633, 71.7%) and were significantly more commonly used in centres remunerated by BC (96.5% vs. 3.5%) than those by PbR (65.7% vs. 34.3%) when compared to hydrophilic IOLs (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the IOL choice may be perversely incentivised by the IOL cost and remuneration model. Although hydrophobic IOLs are more expensive at the point of surgery, their potential longer-term cost-effectiveness due to reduced requirement for YAG capsulotomy should be considered.

[Initiative for a shift from inpatient to outpatient treatment]. / Ambulantisierung.

A shift from inpatient to outpatient treatment is necessary to offset the severe lack of nursing staff in Germany. A central role is played by the catalogue announced for outpatient surgical procedures, which will contain many formerly inpatient procedures. Context factors have been defined to make the decision for inpatient treatment more reproducible. In the end, the remuneration of outpatient procedures will decide whether the infrastructural changes will be successful in daily practice.

Documentation of drug related problems and their management in community pharmacy: Data evolution over six years.

BACKGROUND: Documentation of pharmacists' activities, such as drug related problems (DRPs) management, is necessary to estimate fair remuneration but is rarely done in community pharmacies. OBJECTIVE: To document and evaluate the evolution of DRPs prevalence and management over six years. METHODS: Observational study carried out since 2016 in a community pharmacy. Documentation was made yearly for 21 days (depending on seasons, holidays and medical internship rotations) using the ClinPhADoc tool. Pharmacists documented: medication, DRP type, intervention, implied partner and time for DRP management. A subanalysis was made depending on the medical rotation. RESULTS: A total of 171 437 prescriptions were received and 6 844 (4.0%) documented with 1 550 DRPs. Most frequent DRPs were procedural (n = 506, 32.6%), dosage/posology (n = 263, 17.0%) and drug-drug interaction (n = 153, 9.9%). Mean time dedicated to DRP management was 6.9 min, the longest time was for clinical DRPs (11.0 min, SD = 6.6). Most DRPs (n = 726, 44.6%) were managed by the pharmacist alone taking less working time than when involving other stakeholders (p < 0.01). Statistically significant differences were found in DRPs between the beginning and end of medical rotation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Documentation of DRP management allowed consistent results over the years. Patterns of DRPs can be used to develop inter-professional interventions to prevent DRPs.

Increasing capitation in mixed remuneration schemes: Effects on service provision and process quality of care.

Many health systems apply mixed remuneration schemes for general practitioners, but little is known about the effects on service provision of changing the relative mix of fee for services and capitation. We apply difference-in-differences analyses to evaluate a reform that effectively reversed the mix between fee for services and capitation from 80/20 to 20/80 for patients with type 2 diabetes. Our results show reductions in provision of both the contact services that became capitated and in other non-capitated (still-billable) services. Reduced provision also occurred for guideline-recommended process quality services. We find that the effects are mainly driven by patients with co-morbidities and by general practitioners with high income, relatively many diabetes patients, and solo practitioners. Thus, increasing capitation in a mixed remuneration schemes appears to reduce service provision for patients with type 2 diabetes monitored in general practice with a risk of unwanted quality effects.

Providing freedom or financial remuneration? A cross-sectional study on the role of monetary and legal incentives on COVID-19 further booster vaccination intention in the Italian context.

Vaccine hesitancy became a more and more important issue during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the emergence of new variants, many international health agencies have already begun administering booster doses of the vaccine in response to these threats. Studies have emphasized the effectiveness of different types of incentive-based strategies to increase vaccination behaviors. The purpose of the present study was to identify the correlation between different types of incentives (legal or financial) with people's intentions to get a COVID-19 booster vaccine. We conducted a cross-sectional study between 29 January 2022 and 03 February 2022. An online quantitative survey was carried out in Italy. One thousand and twenty-two Italian adults were recruited by a professional panel provider. Descriptive statistics were computed for the five variables concerning the incentives (monetary, tax, fee, health certification, travel) toward vaccination. A general linear model (GLM) was then computed to compare the scores of the five different variables within the subjects. The general linear model showed a significant within-subjects main effect. Post-hoc comparisons showed that among the financial incentive, the monetary reward is rated lower than all the others. Tax and fees both resulted lower than both the legal incentives. Finally, COVID-19 health certification and travel did not result significantly different from each other. This study offers an important contribution to public policy literature and to policymakers in their efforts to explain and steer booster vaccination acceptance while facing an ongoing pandemic.

General practice undergraduate and vocational training: ambulatory teaching and trainers' curriculum and remuneration - a cross-sectional study among 30 member countries of WONCA Europe.

BACKGROUND: After a long phase without any propositions for real ambulatory training inside general practitioners' offices, general practice (GP) vocational training has begun to appear progressively and has been integrated into undergraduate medical programmes. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of GP vocational training and GP trainers in member countries of the World Organization of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of General Practitioners/Family Physicians (WONCA) Europe. METHOD: We carried out this cross-sectional study between September 2018 and March 2020. The participants responded to a questionnaire in real-life conversations, video conferences or e-mail exchanges. The respondents included GP trainers, teachers and general practitioners involved in the GP curriculum recruited during European GP congresses. RESULTS: Representatives from 30 out of 45 WONCA Europe member countries responded to the questionnaire. Based on their responses, there is a well-established period for GP internships in undergraduate medical programmes, but with varying lengths. The programmes for some countries offer an internship after students graduate from medical school but before GP specialisation to ensure the career choice of the trainees. After specialisation, private practice GP internships are offered; however, in-hospital GP internships are more common. GP trainees no longer have a passive role during their internships. GP trainers are selected based on specific criteria and in countries, they have to follow some teacher training programmes. In addition to income from medical appointments carried out by GP trainees, GP trainers from some countries receive additional remuneration from various organisations. CONCLUSION: This study collected information on how undergraduate and postgraduate medical students are exposed to GP, how GP training is organised and the actual status of GP trainers among WONCA Europe member countries. Our exploration of GP training provides an update of the data collected by Isabel Santos and Vitor Ramos in the 1990s and describes some specificities that can inspire other organisations to prepare young, highly qualified general practitioners.

Impact of remuneration, extrinsic and intrinsic incentives on interprofessional primary care teams: protocol for a rapid scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: Interprofessional teams and funding and payment provider arrangements are key attributes of high-performing primary care. Several Canadian jurisdictions have introduced team-based models with different payment models. Despite these investments, the evidence of impact is mixed. This has raised questions about whether team-based primary care models are being implemented to facilitate team collaboration and effectiveness. Thus, we present a protocol for a rapid scoping review to systematically map, synthesise and summarise the existing literature on the impact of provider remuneration mechanisms and extrinsic and intrinsic incentives in team-based primary care. This review will answer three research questions: (1) What is the impact of provider remuneration models on team, patient, provider and system outcomes in primary care?; (2) What extrinsic and intrinsic incentives have been used in interprofessional primary care teams?; and (3) What is the impact of extrinsic and intrinsic team-based incentives on team, patient, provider and system outcomes? METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a rapid scoping review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews guidelines. We will search electronic databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EconLit) and grey literature sources (Google Scholar, Google). This review will consider all empirical studies and full-text English-language articles published between 2000 and 2022. Reviewers will independently perform the literature search, data extraction and synthesis of included studies. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool will be used to appraise the quality of evidence. The literature will be synthesised, summarised and mapped to themes that answer the research question of this review. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval is not required. Findings from this study will be written for publication in an open-access peer-review journal and presented at national and international conferences. Knowledge users are part of the research team and will assist with disseminating findings to the public, clinicians, funders and professional associations.

Excessive workload and insufficient night-shift remuneration are key elements of dissatisfaction at work for French neonatologists.

AIM: Neonatologists are exposed to ethical issues and unplanned emergencies that require 24-h in-house coverage. These elements may affect quality of life at work, which we surveyed. METHODS: This was a self-administered, voluntary and anonymous cross-sectional survey of French neonatologists. An online questionnaire was sent to members of the French Society of Neonatology from June to October 2022. RESULTS: Of approximately 1500 possible responses, 721 were analysed, with a response rate of 48%. Respondents were mostly women (77%), aged 35-50 years (50%), and hospital practitioners (63%). Reported weekly working time was over 50 h for 80%. Among the 650 neonatologists with on-call duty, 47% worked ≥5 shifts per month. For 80% of practitioners, on-call duty was perceived to have a negative impact on personal life; 49% indicated having sleep disorders. The mean satisfaction score at work was 5.7 ± 1.7 on a scale of 0-10. The main reasons for dissatisfaction were excessive working hours and insufficient remuneration for on-call duty. CONCLUSION: This first evaluation of the quality of life at work of French neonatologists showed high workload. The working conditions and specificities of NICU activity may have significant consequences for their mental health.