Staffing and Career Prospects of Emergency Physicians in Rural and Urban Areas - a Survey-based Study

Background Over recent decades, emergency medical services in Germany experience rising mission numbers. So far, effects on EMS physician staffing in urban and rural areas by demographic changes in Germany remain unclear. Methods Online survey among EMS physicians in Germany evaluating demographic and further parameters critical for EMS physician staffing. Results EMS physicians older than 59 years (10,1 vs. 4,5% [urban], p < 0,001) as well as such physicians who tend to quit service within 5 years (19,8 vs. 14,7%, p = 0,006), are more frequent in rural areas. A multivariate analysis revealed appropriate salaries (p = 0.002) as well as satisfaction with prehospital job settings (p < 0.001) to be associated with longer intended service time. Conclusion This study provides novel insights into demographic differences between EMS physicians in German urban and rural areas. Anticipating factors identified here such as appropriate job settings might improve staff retention.