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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 χ 2 -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., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Evidence on volume outcome associations for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in multiple myeloma (MM) is limited. We investigated ASCT utilization patterns and volume outcome associations in the German National Registry for Stem Cell Transplants (DRST). MM patients with an upfront ASCT between 1998 and 2014 registered in the DRST were included. ASCT utilization increased strongly from 6% to 17% between 1999 and 2013 with the largest increase for patients aged 60-64 years (8-34%). The mean number of ASCTs conducted in the hospitals per year varied (quintiles, Q1:0.0-8.2 to Q5:31.0-102.7). Center volume was not associated with survival after upfront ASCT (lowest vs. highest center volume, hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals: 0.95 (0.76-1.18), p  = 0.92). Our findings may reflect a high standard of care and degree of specialization of centers performing ASCT for MM in Germany.

Background: Carfilzomib and daratumumab are licensed in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), but no head-to-head trials have been conducted., Methods: We used data from dossiers prepared for the German Federal Joint Committee based on two phase III randomized trials of carfilzomib-based therapies (ASPIRE, ENDEAVOR) and two of daratumumab-based therapies (POLLUX, CASTOR) to conduct a descriptive assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). HRQoL was assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer 30-item HRQoL Questionnaire, with hazard ratios calculated for carfilzomib- and daratumumab-based therapy versus comparators for time to HRQoL deterioration of ≥ 10 points. Analyses were also conducted on data from the EORTC 20-item myeloma-specific questionnaire, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity scale, and the visual analog scale of the EuroQoL 5-dimension, 5-level questionnaire, where results for these instruments were available. As the designs and patient population of the four trials were similar but not identical, the analysis included only indirect, descriptive comparisons., Results: Compared with lenalidomide/dexamethasone, median time to deterioration in global health status/QoL was longer for carfilzomib-based therapy versus control, but similar for daratumumab-based therapy and control. Compared with bortezomib/dexamethasone, time to deterioration was significantly longer for carfilzomib-based therapy versus control for global health status/QoL and numerous functional and symptom subscales. HRQoL measurement is feasible in large RRMM populations., Conclusion: Descriptive assessment of HRQoL data suggests potential benefits for carfilzomib-based over daratumumab-based therapy.