Introduction

Work-life integration is a critical issue many individuals face in the workforce, particularly in professions with high demands, such as healthcare. Physicians, in particular, experience significant challenges in managing their professional and personal lives due to long work hours, unpredictable schedules, and the emotional toll of caring for patients. The resulting work-life conflicts can negatively impact their well-being, job satisfaction, and patient care. Despite recognizing this issue, there is still a lack of research on the extent of work-life conflicts and their effects on physicians.

Aims & Methods

We distributed a voluntary and anonymous survey via e-mail to all members of the German Society for Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (DGVS - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gastroenterologie, Verdauungs- und Stoffwechselerkrankungen). Sociodemographics and data on parental status, number of children, and used support structures were gathered. The Work-Family Conflict Scale (ISSP) was used to measure the compatibility of family and job. Query logic branched depending on responses, and single and multiple-choice questions were used, as well as Likert scales.

Results

At the point of this interim analysis, 586 respondents finished the survey and were included for statistical analysis. Of the respondents, 45% were women, 71% were parents, and 60.3% had children living in the household. The mean age was 47 years (SD 11,0). In most cases, respondents lived with a working partner (93%), with male respondents more likely to have a stay-at-home partner (8,9% versus 2,9%). A corresponding trend was observed in partners working part-time (Overall: 41.5%. Partners of male physicians 58,9%, partners of female physicians 17,2%). In the ISSP, there were high levels of work-life conflict (scale 1-4, average work/life 3,06 life/work 1,79). Female respondents reported statistically significantly higher work/life, but only numerically higher life/work conflicts than male respondents. (work/life 3,18 versus 2,94, p ˂ 0.001; life/work 1,88 versus 1,77 p = 0.080; two tailed Chi Square). Parents were affected significantly more often by work-life and life-work conflicts.

Conclusion

This study provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by physicians in balancing their professional and personal lives. Finding ways to manage work-life conflicts and maintain a healthy balance is critical for the well-being and longevity of physicians, as well as the quality of care they provide to their patients. Healthcare employers should support their employees in achieving a satisfactory work-life balance.