Personal life and working conditions of trainees and young specialists in clinical microbiology and infectious diseases in Europe: a questionnaire survey

A E Maraolo,M Poljak,J Cortez,D Dušek,E Tacconelli,C Skevaki,A Martin-Quiros,D S Y Ong,M Sanguinetti,K Dedić,E Yusuf,E Yusuf,P J Maver

doi:10.1007/s10096-017-2937-4

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the balance between the personal and professional lives of trainees and young European specialists in clinical microbiology (CM) and infectious diseases (ID), and determine differences according to gender, country of training, workplace and specialty. The Steering Committee of the Trainee Association of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) devised a questionnaire survey consisting, beyond the demographic questions, of nine yes/no questions, 11 Likert scale self-evaluations and one open-response item on parenthood, working conditions, quality of life, alcohol consumption and burnout. This anonymous survey in English was held between April and July 2015 among European CM/ID trainees and young specialists (<3 years after training completion). Responses from 416 participants with a mean age of 32 years [standard deviation (SD) 5 years] were analysed. Females and physicians from Northern/Western Europe (NWE) benefit more from paternity/maternity leaves even during training than their counterparts. Among all respondents, only half of breastfeeding mothers enjoyed the benefit of working hours flexibility. Only two-thirds of respondents found their working environment stimulating. In comparison to colleagues from other parts of Europe, trainees and young specialists from Southern/Eastern Europe (SEE) had less frequent regular meetings with mentors/supervisors and head of departments where trainees’ issues are discussed. Also, physicians from SEE were more frequently victims of workplace mobbing/bullying in comparison to those from other regions. Finally, multivariate analysis showed that female gender, SEE region and ID specialty were associated with burnout feelings. Female gender and country of work from SEE largely determine satisfactory working conditions, the possibility of parenthood leaves, amount of leisure time, mobbing experiences and burnout feelings among European CM/ID trainees and young specialists.

Highlights

Achieving balance between personal and professional life is extremely important for each individual
The present paper focuses on different aspects of work–life balance, including parenthood, working conditions, quality of life, activities during leisure time, alcohol consumption and burnout
Respondents were divided into three categories: single, in a relationship, but not living together with the stable partner, and cohabitant

Summary

Introduction

Achieving balance between personal and professional life is extremely important for each individual. Physicians are among the most susceptible individuals failing to achieve this balance due to heavy work demands, long working hours, shift work (including night shifts) and staff shortages. Imbalance between professional and personal life is a wellknown risk factor for work stress and burnout [1, 2]. The consequences of long periods of excessive work under stress conditions and burnout could have serious outcomes for the wellness of individual physicians [3]. Burnout is a very important predictor in career satisfaction as well. It can be one of the core elements underlying the strikingly high prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms (28.8%) among resident physicians [4]

Methods

Results

Conclusion