Results of a nationwide survey in Germany on further education in pediatric and adolescent medicine-"The system has no intention to sacrifice time for further education"

BackgroundPediatric and adolescent medicine is one of the largest medical specialties in Germany. The further education ordinance from 2018 emphasized competencies; however, structures are still very heterogeneous. ObjectiveThis article compares the results of our surveys amongst pediatric residents from 2019 and 2023, focusing on the development of quality of training, changes in perceived workload, and experience of gratification. Material and methodsAn anonymous web-based survey was conducted using a questionnaire based on surveys in other medical specialties to ensure comparability. The results were statistically analyzed using GraphPad Prism and using content analysis. ResultsThe response rates were 31% and 16%, respectively, with no apparent differences in participant characteristics. The 2023 cohort reported lower overall job satisfaction but a decreased effort-reward imbalance compared to 2019. Concerns about workload and potential career changes increased, residents noted deteriorating patient care. ConclusionThe results underline the challenges of good medical training and emphasize the need for structured curricula and improvement of working conditions. Addressing these concerns is crucial to ensure high-quality medical care for children and adolescents. Reforms should focus on implementing structured training programs and adequate funding. Efforts are needed to reduce the impacts of high workload and job dissatisfaction, which contribute to shortage of medical staff and compromised patient care.