[Job satisfaction of radiologists in Germany - status quo]

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate the work-related satisfaction of radiologists and its influencing factors in Germany.

Materials and methods: For this purpose an invitational letter for an online opinion survey was sent to all member physicians of the Deutsche Roentgengesellschaft in 2008. 1200 questionnaires were completed (response rate 21 %) and evaluated statistically.

Results: 81.7 % of radiologists declared themselves as being "very" or "rather satisfied". The level of satisfaction was largely independent of age, gender, status, salary or family status. It increased over the last 5 years for 37.5 % of participants and decreased for 24.8 %. Nevertheless, 72 % of respondents indicated that they would not choose to specialize in radiology again. The main reason given was the workload. 65.6 % deemed it to be "considerably" or "rather too high". Concomitantly, more than 70 % of respondents indicated that the workload had increased "a lot" or "rather". Further reasons for not wanting to select the radiological profession again were "unfavorable working hours" and "unsatisfactory career perspectives".

Conclusion: The job satisfaction of radiologists in Germany is generally very high in spite of the perception of an extensive and frequently increasing workload. The high workload was the dominant factor against a renewed selection of the field of radiology. These data have to be interpreted in light of the current lack of residents and trained radiologists in Germany to counteract the trend toward emigration.