Ärztlichen Nachwuchs in der Pädiatrie sichern – aber wie?

Within the next 2 years over 25% of all pediatricians in Germany will retire. At the same time, the pediatric care system, including the personnel, was faced with extreme pressure in the years 2021–2023. These circumstances led to the foundation of the two independent groups the “Initiative der Berliner Kinderkliniken” (Berlin Pediatric Clinics Initiative) and the “Junge Pädiatrie Baden-Württemberg” (Young Pediatrics Baden-Württemberg).

Both groups questioned the colleagues in specialty training on their perception of problems and opportunities for improvement in their work. Which measures are necessary to ensure excellent healthcare for children and adolescents by qualified pediatricians in the future?

In the period from May 2022 to May 2023 a total of 5 surveys on working conditions and further training in pediatrics were conducted in Berlin, Baden-Württemberg and partly throughout Germany.

A good onboarding, compatibility of family and profession and a fixed further training schedule are considered to be important. At the same time, dissatisfaction with the current situation in these areas is high. Research as a topic mostly plays a subordinate role in the individual work. In outpatient care, many colleagues would like to work in group practices and with more efficient structures.

Pediatric and adolescent medicine in Germany must continue to develop in order to train a sufficient number of young professionals. In the competition for employees, the aspects of onboarding, family and work, staffing levels and good further training will be decisive. The development of joint management models (job sharing, group practices) is becoming increasingly more important for outpatient and inpatient care.