Guidance for the promotion of compatibility for hospital physicians
Doctors are increasingly deciding against working in hospitals. The main reason for this is the poor balance between work and private life. A guide from the School of Applied Psychology FHNW supports hospitals and clinics in promoting the compatibility of the spheres of life for their medical staff.
A high workload, irregular working hours, shift work and emergency preparedness make it impossible for physicians in Swiss hospitals and clinics to achieve a good work-life balance. Combined with excessive workloads, this leads to impaired job satisfaction and health, as well as to earlier retirement from the profession. The quality of care and profitability of hospitals also suffer as a result.
Approaches proven in practice
But how can hospitals and clinics improve the work-life balance for their medical staff? Practical answers are provided by the guide "Work-life balance for hospital physicians" from the School of Applied Psychology FHNW, which has been available since the end of March 2023. It offers Swiss hospitals and clinics numerous suggestions for the realization of a compatibility-friendly working environment for their medical staff. The guide was developed by a scientific team led by Prof. Dr. Brigitte Liebig and in cooperation with four acute hospitals and one rehabilitation clinic in Switzerland.
A targeted guide
"For the first time, the publication provides hospitals and clinics with specific guidance on developments that benefit physicians in inpatient healthcare," said project leader Prof. Dr. Liebig. "In addition, we show the benefits of measures for the medical profession and healthcare organizations." At the core of the guide is a catalog of 25 concrete measures that can be used to shape the working conditions for hospital physicians in terms of a better balance between medical work and private life. In addition to cultural changes, HR practices or structural improvements are addressed. A roadmap systematically shows how starting points for change can be identified within the framework of organizational development and implemented in everyday hospital or clinic life. Empirical data and practical examples illustrate the individual development steps.
Focus on medical personnel
The guide is aimed at human resources managers, hospital and clinic management, professional associations and politicians. The focus of the measures is on the professional group of physicians. In general, however, all employees in the inpatient healthcare sector can benefit from the approaches described here.
The guide is available in German and French. The Federal Office for Gender Equality supported the project financially.
Links to the guide:
www.fhnw.ch/vereinbarkeit-im-spital-wegleitung-de
www.fhnw.ch/vereinbarkeit-im-spital-wegleitung-fr (available from mid-April)
