[Working conditions of physicians in hospitals--A comparison of specialties in German hospitals (iCept-Study)].

Background: In the context of the iCept-Study several medical specialties have been examined for their stress related working conditions. This study contrasts the different medical specialties.
Methods: The iCept-Study was designed as a web based survey in which altogether 7.090 respondents took part. The published data concerning the iCept-Study was systematically analyzed focusing on distress and job satisfaction.
Results: 53,9% of respondents showed unfavorable working conditions with an ER/JDC-Ratio > 1 (distress). Especially surgical specialties showed a higher prevalence: The odds ratio of surgery to anesthesiology was at 1,59 (95%-CI: 1,35|1,86; p < 0,001). On the other hand specialties like occupational medicine showed a lower prevalence in comparison with the average: The odds ratio was here at 0,37 (95%CI: 0,19|0,71; p < 0,01). Furthermore 55,8% of respondents stated that they were very satisfied with their job.
Consequences: Surgical specialties encountered distress the most. Moreover there was a positive correlation between high job satisfaction and lack of distress evident. Therefore it seems that distress and job satisfaction are two dependent characteristics of a changing work environment. Especially surgical specialties need to catch up with today's demand of improved working conditions and thus reducing distress and increasing satisfaction.
(© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)