gms | German Medical Science

Objective: Work-life balance is an upcoming issue for physicians. We designed a national survey to reflect the present work-life balance of female and male neurosurgeons of different training levels with and without children.

Method: A 46-item, web-based survey was sent to 996 neurosurgeons in Germany.

Results: There were 462 replies (46,5%) of whom 95% (439) answered all items. 149 residents, 65 consultants, 190 senior consultants as well as 35 directors completed our survey. 67,3% were male. 58% work at University hospitals, 35% at centres providing maximum care. A mean of 11 hours overtime per week was reported, mostly due to patient care and bureaucracy. Overtime working hours were independent of gender, but significantly correlated to age and position, with directors having most (17.3) extra hours per week (p<0.001). A mean of 46 hours per year were taken for further educational trainining outside the working hours, correlating to gender (p=0.044) and position (p<0.001), and tended to be more compatible with family life in men (p=0.07). Women significantly more often worked part-time and were on temporary contracts (p<0.001) which was dependent on parenthood (p<0.0001). There were significantly less female neurosurgeons in higher positions (20% female senior consultants, 6% directors, p<0.001). Female neurosurgeons experienced a significantly higher double burden regarding work and private life (p<0.0001). All participants estimated their private-, work- and total life-quality as high or very high in 56.5%, 38% and 52%, and low or very low in 17%, 30.9% and 13.1%. In general, satisfaction for all qualities was rising with age, position and the existence of children. Females tended to be significantly unhappier under all circumstances. Men showed their highest private as well as work quality of life when directors over the age of 54 with children. Female neurosurgeons showed highest satisfaction in private life when between 40 - 54 years and consultants with children. Work quality for women was highest when directors over the age of 54 without children. Despite all troubles, 76.7% of all neurosurgeons would again chose neurosurgery as their specialty, not differing for age, gender, position or existence of children.

Conclusions: Higher private- and work-quality in neurosurgeons comes with age and experience. We observed significant gender differences in work-life balance which were predominantly due to the double-burden in women.