Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39285096›Full record

ArticleUrologie (Heidelberg, Germany)2025

[Balancing family and career for female physicians in Germany: insights from a survey of female urologists].

Laura Wiemer, Sophie Knipper, Annika Herlemann, Maria-Noemi Welte, Carolin Siech, Eva-Maria Greiser, Karina Müller, Laura Bellut, Sandra Schönburg, Margarete Walach and 2 more

Abstract readEnglish Abstract
In one paragraph

Article in Urologie (Heidelberg, Germany), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Laura WiemerKlinik für Urologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland. laura.wiemer@charite.de.
Sophie KnipperKlinik für Urologie, Vivantes Klinikum am Urban, Berlin, Deutschland.
Annika HerlemannKlinik für Urologie, Campus Großhadern, LMU München, München, Deutschland.
Maria-Noemi WelteUniversitätsklinikum, Klinik für Urologie, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland.
Carolin SiechUniversitätsklinikum, Klinik für Urologie, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland.
Eva-Maria GreiserKlinik für Urologie, Mathias-Spital, Hospital Rheine, Rheine, Deutschland.
Karina MüllerKlinik für Urologie, Klinikum Bremen Mitte, Bremen, Deutschland.
Laura BellutKlinik für Urologie und Kinderurologie, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Deutschland.
Sandra SchönburgBG Klinikum Bergmannstrost, Halle (Saale), Deutschland.
Margarete WalachKlinik für Urologie und Urochirurgie, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim (UMM), Universität Heidelberg, Mannheim, Deutschland.
Raisa PompeKlinik für Urologie, Klinikum Herford, Herford, Deutschland.
Sarah WeinbergerKlinik für Urologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe shortage of skilled labor in medicine is one of the most pressing challenges in healthcare. The increasing number of women in medicine, particularly in the field of urology, raises questions about the compatibility of family and career, especially concerning the work environment and working time models.

objectiveThe aim of this study is to capture the impact of motherhood on the professional lives of female physicians and scientists in the field of urology in Germany. Specific challenges in this surgical specialty and the compatibility of family and career will be highlighted.

methodsThe working group "Female Physicians and Scientists in Urology" of the German Society of Urology (DGU) surveyed its 1343 female members regarding demographic data, professional status, and aspects of work-life balance.

resultsAmong 487 female urologists in Germany, 53.4% had children. Mothers tended to be older, less frequently in training, less often in inpatient settings, and less frequently engaged in surgical activities. Notably, the proportion of full-time working mothers (36.2%) was significantly lower compared to female urologists without children (92.4%). Among female urologists with children, 32.3% reported having changed their workplace because of their children, while 10.7% indicated that their responsibilities had changed at least once after pregnancy. Additionally, 76.9% of mothers had reduced their weekly working hours due to family commitments. Multivariate analysis showed an influence of motherhood on professional status and parttime work.

conclusionThe fact that starting a family for women in urology in Germany is associated with a reduction in working hours and the end of clinical careers suggests a need for optimizing the compatibility of family and career in Germany. The increasing feminization of the medical profession exacerbates the existing shortage of skilled workers due to the exit of mothers from professional life. To meet the needs of working parents, particularly mothers, urgent adjustments in the work environment are necessary. Promoting flexible working time models and creating supportive conditions are crucial to preventing the loss of skilled professionals and maintaining job satisfaction in this field.

Indexed as

Career ChoicePhysicians, WomenUrologistsUrologyWork-Life BalanceAdultFemaleGermanyHumansJob SatisfactionMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesWorkloadCareer barriersEqual career opportunitiesGender equalityHealthcare system

Identifiers

PMID39285096
PMCPMC11828789

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.