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New shift models for doctors in a large German University Neurosurgery Department: how they comply with the European Working Time Directive 3 years after implementation

  • Experimental research
  • Published:
Acta Neurochirurgica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Due to the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) and a new collective agreement for doctors working at University hospitals in 2006 new shift models had to be designed in the Department of Neurosurgery of the University Hospital Tübingen, Germany. The aim of the study was to show the fit of the models regarding the average weekly working time limits (aWTL), the daily maximum of 10-h working time (10-h dWT), and the staff expenditures 3 years after implementation.

Methods

The new shift model was implemented in 2008, and hence planning and documentation were done electronically. Adherence to the work schedules was measured, and aWTL adherence rates were compared. The relative number of 10-h dWT violations in 2009 and 2010 was analysed. Staff costs relative to performance before and after implementation were calculated and tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Four other departments without alteration of shift models served as a control group in cost trend analysis.

Results

In 2010 all doctors in the Department of Neurosurgery were able to stay within the limit of 54 h/week; one doctor without opt-out exceeded the 48 h/week limit (50.1 h/week). The median per capita rate of 10-h dWT violations in 2009 was 20.3 % of all eligible working days and further declined to 10.7 % in 2010 (p < 0.001). Staff costs per case-weight point did not change significantly (2007: 339.88€, 2009: 307.99€, 2010: 322.54€; p = 0.22) in neurosurgery or in the control group (2007: 633.72€, 2009: 637.06€, 2010: 690.30€; p = 0.67).

Conclusions

After implementation of the new shift model, current monitoring and properly matching modifications led to long-term stability in complying with the EWTD regulations without increasing costs for staff expenditures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Business Development Unit, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 6, 72076, Tübingen, Germany

    Jens Maschmann & Martin Holderried

  2. Department of Medical Biometry, University of Tübingen, Westbahnhofstr. 55, 72070, Tübingen, Germany

    Gunnar Blumenstock

  3. University Hospital Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 6, 72076, Tübingen, Germany

    Michael Bamberg

  4. Institute of Working and Social Medicine, Wilhelmstr. 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany

    Monika A. Rieger

  5. Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany

    Marcos Tatagiba & Florian Roser

Authors
  1. Jens Maschmann
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  2. Martin Holderried
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  3. Gunnar Blumenstock
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  4. Michael Bamberg
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  5. Monika A. Rieger
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  7. Florian Roser
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Correspondence to Jens Maschmann.

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Maschmann, J., Holderried, M., Blumenstock, G. et al. New shift models for doctors in a large German University Neurosurgery Department: how they comply with the European Working Time Directive 3 years after implementation. Acta Neurochir 154, 1935–1940 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-012-1405-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-012-1405-2

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