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Background In the light of physician shortage and increasing demands of medical services, losing physicians due to early retirement is becoming a significant problem for healthcare systems worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate retirement plans and the relationship between burnout and retirement planning. Method For the purpose of the current study, a sample of n  = 320 physicians working in patient care was analyzed in 2020 (Baseline) and repeatedly in 2024 (Follow-up). The questionnaire included the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, measuring overall burnout and sub dimensions (personal, patient- and work-related). One single item assessed retirement planning (earlier vs. later/regular). Mixed-effects generalized linear models with binomial family and logit-link were applied, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Results In terms of retirement planning, 42% of physicians in 2020 and 39% pf physicians in 2024 were planning to retire early. The highest prevalence of burnout was found with regard to personal burnout at both time points. In addition, a significant association between time retirement planning and burnout was found: for a one-unit increase in overall burnout, a 12% increase in the odds of desiring early retirement may be expected when controlling for sociodemographics ( p  = 0.001). Specifically, an increase in work-related burnout was significantly related to a 7.1% higher odds of early retirement intention (p = 0.005) while no relationship was found for personal or patient-related burnout. Conclusion Current analyses indicate that burnout constitutes a significant risk factor for the early retirement of physicians and warrants appropriate attention in workforce planning. In order to avoid negative consequences for the broader healthcare system, it is important to establish interventions that help physicians to cope with high workload. Future studies are needed to better understand decisions regarding retirement among physicians.

Background Work-life balance (WLB) is associated with a variety of health-related outcomes in the general population. Since General Practitioners (GPs) play a fundamental role in the health system, we wanted to analyze the associations between their WLB and burnout scores as well as motivation to stay in the profession. Methods In September 2019, physicians from various specialties answered a comprehensive questionnaire. We analyzed a subsample of 188 GPs that were working full time, 61.7% were female. Results Multivariate analysis showed a beneficial association between WLB and all three dimensions of burnout (Emotional Exhaustion, Cynicism, and Professional Efficacy) as well as the motivation to stay in the profession. Conclusions Improving GPs WLB could be a way to reduce physician burnout, strengthen the healthcare system, and attract a new generation of talented physicians.

Background The healthcare system is currently in a state of tension due to a shortage of physicians, the early retirement of health care professionals and an increasing need for care within an (aging) society. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine physicians’ attitudes towards retirement and possible influencing factors on their motivation to work. Method Data were collected as part of a baseline survey of a long-term study. The sample includes a variety of physicians ( n  = 625), working in outpatient or inpatient care, who have not yet reached the retirement age of 67. The primary outcome was to survey attitudes towards retirement using the Motivation to Work scale. Work-related characteristics (e.g., with regard to contract or working hour) as well as job satisfaction, overall health, and burnout were also included in the analyses (correlations and linear regression models). Results According to the results, sociodemographic characteristics are not significantly related to motivation to work, whereas the other parameters (satisfaction, health, and burnout) influence attitudes towards retirement significantly. Conclusions The results underline the need to improve the occupational conditions of physicians across different medical settings. More research is needed to understand physicians‘ decision-making with regard to retirement, especially in terms of work-related characteristics and differences.

Background Currently, the health care system in Germany is facing a serious physician shortage. Previous research reported changes in working hours and a tendency towards a reduction in clinical hours. The aim was to investigate the relationship between changes in working hours and symptoms of burnout in German physicians over two time points. Method In 2020, a random sample of physicians from the Federal State of Saxony (Germany) was drawn. The current analyses are based on data from a longitudinal survey conducted in 2020 and 2024. Overall, a sample of n  = 333 physicians working in both inpatient and outpatient care was investigated using descriptive and regression analyses. In a multivariate analysis predicting burnout symptoms (overall, patient-related, work-related, personal burnout) in 2024, sociodemographic factors such as age, sex and work-related aspects (i.e. medical setting and working hour characteristics), as well as burnout level in 2020, were controlled for. Results Overall, 19.2% ( n  = 64) of the sample reported no changes in working hours over 4 years, whereas 27% ( n  = 90) reported an increase in working hours and 53.8% ( n  = 179) reported a decrease in working hours. In fact, a working hour reduction was significantly linked to lower overall burnout, lower personal burnout and lower work-related burnout at follow-up ( p  < 0.001 for all regression models), while controlling for covariates. No significant association between change in working hours and the third burnout dimension—patient-related burnout at follow-up—was found. Discussion The present findings emphasize that physician burnout remains a critical issue, especially in the context of clinical working hours. Reducing actual working hours and decreasing overwork may help to improve physician well-being. Future efforts should also focus on optimizing working conditions beyond hours alone—such as increasing schedule flexibility and addressing systemic stressors—to sustainably protect physicians’ health and ensure high-quality patient care.

Background We want to analyze the effect of migration background (MB) on physician burnout and work-life balance. Methods In September 2019, physicians from various specialties answered a questionnaire on work and health. We analyzed a subsample of 526 physicians that were working full time in a hospital, 14% with an MB and 47.9% were female. Results Multivariate analysis showed that physicians with an MB exhibit significantly less favorable scores on all three burnout dimensions, and this effect persisted in the regression analysis after adding age, gender, and marital status as control variables. There were no differences with regard to work-life balance. Conclusions To our knowledge, our study is the first one to suggest that MB plays a significant role in physician mental health. Future research will benefit from identifying the factors behind that connection, e.g., problems related to acculturation, communication and social integration, which can then be addressed by policymakers in order to maintain and improve the medical infrastructure.

Background Compared to the general population, physicians are more likely to experience increased burnout and lowered work-life balance. In our article, we want to analyze whether the workplace of a physician is associated with these outcomes. Methods In September 2019, physicians from various specialties answered a comprehensive questionnaire. We analyzed a subsample of 183 internists that were working full time, 51.4% were female. Results Multivariate analysis showed that internists working in an outpatient setting exhibit significantly higher WLB and more favorable scores on all three burnout dimensions. In the regression analysis, hospital-based physicians exhibited higher exhaustion, cynicism and total burnout score as well as lower WLB. Conclusions Physician working at hospitals exhibit less favorable outcomes compared to their colleagues in outpatient settings. This could be a consequence of workplace-specific factors that could be targeted by interventions to improve physician mental health and subsequent patient care.

Die Selbstverwaltung der Ärzte in Deutschland ist ein enormes Privileg für diesen Berufsstand. Die Gestaltung der beruflichen Rahmenbedingungen, der Fort- und Weiterbildung und der Qualitätssicherung sind insbesondere für die Ärztekammern Kernaufgaben ihrer täglichen Arbeit. Ein Blick in die Geschichte offenbart wichtige Entwicklungen eines Berufsstands und dessen wechselvoller Beziehungen zur Politik, zu unterschiedlichen Regierungssystemen und sich stetig ändernden berufspolitischen Ausrichtungen, die stetig fortwirken und permanent durch die Ärzteschaft ausgestaltet werden müssen. Insbesondere das Verhältnis zu den Krankenkassen, zur Ökonomie und zur Politik ist hier zu nennen. Neu sind dagegen sich wandelnde Rollenbilder der ärztlichen Profession, Fachkräftemangel, Management- und Versorgungsstrukturen sowie neuartige Eigentumsverhältnisse z. B. in den Medizinischen Versorgungszentren. Die ethischen Grundwerte des Arztbildes – Wissenschaftlichkeit, Erfahrung, persönliche Haltung und menschliche Zuneigung – haben jederzeit einen unverändert hohen Stellenwert. Unter Berücksichtigung der rasanten Entwicklung der modernen Medizin und den gestiegenen gesellschaftlichen Erwartungen bedarf es in der Gegenwart und Zukunft zusätzlicher Qualifikationen, die über die historisch tradierten Merkmale für den „guten Arzt“ hinausreichen. Diese neuen Anspruchshorizonte ergänzen und vertiefen das Verhältnis zwischen Patienten, Gesellschaft und dem ärztlichen Berufsstand. Um Medizin am Menschen patientenindividuell auszuüben, bedarf es der Freiheit des Berufs ohne jegliche dirigistische wie auch immer geartete gesellschaftspolitische Einflussnahme.