Impact of the experience of urological senior physicians in Germany on professional and personal aspects

Background Urological senior physicians in Germany are a heterogeneous group with various clinical priorities and career objectives. To date, there are no reliable data concerning the impact of the time span for which senior physicians have been holding their position on professional, personal and position-linked aspects. Material and Methods The objective of this study was a comparative analysis of perspectives, private and professional settings, specific job-related activities and individual professional goals of urological senior physicians in Germany based on their experience in this position assessed as number of years (dichotomised at 8 years as senior physician). As part of a cross-sectional study, a 55-item web-based questionnaire was designed, which was sent via a link to members of a mailing list of the German Society of Urology. The survey was available for urological senior physicians between February and April 2019. Group differences were evaluated using multivariate regression models. Results 107 of 192 evaluable questionnaires were completed by senior physicians holding this position for less than 8 years (<8y senior physicians), 85 were completed by senior physicians holding this position for at least 8 years (>= 8y senior physicians). <8y senior physicians worked significantly more often at university hospitals (42.1 % vs. 18.8%, p= 0.002). Overall, 82.4% of >= 8y senior physicians assessed themselves autonomously safe in performing open surgery, compared to 39.3% among <8y senior physicians (p< 0.001). No significant differences concerning the self-assessment were found for endourological procedures (94.1 % vs. 87.9%) and for the overall lower-rated self-assessment concerning laparoscopy (29.4% vs. 20.6%) and robotic surgery (14.1 % vs. 10.3 %). Despite the high management responsibility associated with their position, only about one third of participants (34.8%) had received specific postgraduate education preparing them for managing and executive tasks. Conclusion This study shows significant differences among senior physicians regarding surgical skills depending on the time span they hold their position. Moreover, there is considerable dissatisfaction regarding the development of leadership skills and the preparation for managing tasks. In order to ensure availability of senior staff members for the field of urology in the future, it is important to consider their professional needs and to overcome existing shortcomings by education programs within well-orchestrated human resources development strategies.

Automated summary

The study found significant differences among senior physicians in urology regarding surgical skills depending on the time they have held their position, as well as considerable dissatisfaction with the development of leadership skills and preparation for managing tasks. To ensure an adequate availability of senior staff members in the field of urology in the future, it is important to consider their professional needs and address existing shortcomings through education programs within well-coordinated human resources development strategies.