Determinants of Leaving and Resumption of Medical Profession: A Qualitative Study with Former Participants in a Re-Entry Seminar

Abstract

Background There is an increasing demand for physicians in Germany. At the same time, there are many licensed doctors who are not actively working as physicians. To win them back to their original field of expertise would be a policy to bring doctors into the health care system in a timely manner. The aims of this study were therefore, on the one hand, to explore individual reasons for leaving the medical profession and for deciding to return to the medical profession. Furthermore, the value of participating in a re-entry seminar was assessed in this process. Methodology As part of a qualitative study, 28 semi-structured interviews were conducted with former participants in a re-entry seminar of the Bavarian Medical Association. These were recorded with a dictaphone, pseudonymised, transcribed and evaluated according to MayringÊs qualitative content analysis. Results Reasons that led to a career break were the family situation, unappealing working conditions, a change of residence as well as the mediocre job situation at the time of the so-called doctor flood. The reasons for the resumption of medical work were decreased familial demands, financial necessity, the fear of missing oneÊs professional connection, being under-challenged in the current job and the desire for approval. The re-entry seminar was evaluated by the majority as being decisive on the way back to the medical profession. Positive aspects were the exchange with like-minded people and the regained self-confidence in oneÊs own abilities. Conclusion Making it possible to combine family and career is a central task in preventing the loss of highly qualified workers. Re-entry seminars should specifically address the aspects of compatibility of family and career, individual fears and peer exchange.