[Effects of working time recording from the perspective of surgeons].

Abstract

Background: Since 2023 the law in Germany has required that working times are recorded in the field of surgery.

Objectives: The consequences of recording of the working hours in surgery are the main topic of this study. The search for ways of harmonization in the team to counteract a limited availability of personnel requires knowledge of the position of surgeons on the issue in question.

Material and methods: The study design is based on the situational approach of organizational research and encompasses 20 qualitative interviews and 186 datasets of an online questionnaire with 24 questions. For the evaluation group comparisons were carried out using the ANOVA analysis. The target groups were surgeons working in German hospitals. The study has an explorative character due to the targeted selection of samples.

Results: The results of the online survey showed a strong support for working time recording among surgeons with a general agreement of 82% and a consensus at all levels from residents to medical directors. Less than 50% of the assistants and medical specialists saw an improvement via an in-house dialogue, in comparison to senior physicians and medical directors. The right to compensatory time off by other employees represents a greater burden for senior physicians and chief physicians.

Discussion: The decisive result shows that there is a preference for transponder-based systems, especially among surgeons with long working hours. The problems of transparency and the right to compensatory time off, often associated with a lack of personnel, demonstrate the necessity for an improved communication and strategic personnel planning in hospitals. Surgeons have differentiated views on the transparent exchange on the topic of the working hours performed.