Purpose: This study aimed to find out more about factors that hinder physicians' careers, especially with regard to gender differences, and which future working conditions they would prefer.
Methods: In an online survey, members of the professional societies of Hematology and Oncology in Germany, Austria and Switzerland were asked to rate factors that might hinder or facilitate their professional career. Data analysis included χ2-tests, t tests and analyses of variance.
Results: 469 physicians participated (61% female, response rate 9.1%). 40% of the participants experience a lack of compatibility between family life and career. Female physicians with children living in their household especially feel restricted in their professional development. The most preferred conditions for improving compatibility were flexible working hours (72%), opportunities to work in home office (71%), better opportunities for specialist training (51%) and enabling managerial activities on a part-time basis (73%). Both female and male physicians would like fathers to be encouraged to take parental leave to the same extent as mothers (50%). They would, e.g., like to see more flexible drop-off and pickup times for children (71%) and more childcare options offered by their employer (61%).
Conclusion: Results suggest various options for promoting compatibility of family life and work, e.g., by family-friendly working time models and part-time offers breaking with traditional role models. Managerial positions might be offered on a regular part-time basis. Structured qualification programs could enable the compatibility of clinical work, research and family life. Childcare services should preferably be provided in line with existing needs.
Keywords: Compatibility of family life and work; Family-friendly working time models; Part-time managerial positions; Part-time work.
© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.