How to Increase the Attractiveness of the Public Health Service in Germany as a Prospective Employer? Part II of the OeGD-Studisurvey

Abstract

The Public Health Service (PHS) in Germany has had difficulties in recruiting enough qualified staff for years, but there is limited research on what factors drive decisions to (not) join the PHS workforce. We explored reasons for this perceived (lack of) attractiveness. We conducted two cross-sectional surveys among medical students (MS), public health students and students from other PHS-relevant fields (PH&ONM) in Germany before (2019/2020) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2021). Both waves surveyed self-reported reasons for why students did (not) consider working in the PHS as attractive and how this could be improved, using open-question items. Qualitative and quantitative content analyses were conducted according to Mayring. In total, 948 MS and 445 PH&ONM provided valid written responses. Reasons for considering the PHS as attractive were, among others, the perception of a good work-life balance, high impact, population health focus, and generally interesting occupations. Suggestions to increase attractiveness included reducing bureaucracy, modernization/digitalization, and more acknowledgement of non-medical professionals. Among MS, reasons against were too little clinical/patient-related activities, low salary, and occupations regarded as boring. Our findings indicate areas for improvement for image, working conditions in, and institutional structures of the PHS in Germany to increase its attractiveness as an employer among young professionals.

What Factors Influence the Interest in Working in the Public Health Service in Germany? Part I of the OeGD-Studisurvey

“…Nonetheless, our results provide important qualitative and quantitative findings that provide initial empirical insights. While the findings on image and perception of the PHS as a potential employer, derived from an in-depth qualitative analysis, are discussed in more detail in the accompanying paper of the OeGD-Studisurvey [ 48 ], the findings of the quantitative analysis presented in this paper emphasizes the importance of the public image and perception of the PHS.…”

“…Within the scope of several open-ended questions, we asked for arguments for and against the PHS as a potential employer, as well as corresponding suggestions for increasing its attractiveness. The results of these free-text statements are the subject of the accompanying paper [ 48 ].…”

“…Afterwards, we will determine how the PHS is perceived among students before we will explore potential targets to improve the attractiveness of the PHS as a prospective employer. Barriers to entry in the PHS workforce and solutions to strengthen public health recruitment in Germany from a young professional’s perspective are described in an accompanying paper [ 48 ].…”

“Having impact, making a difference” – Ansätze zur Steigerung der Attraktivität des ÖGD als zukünftiger Arbeitgeber. Ergebnisse und Empfehlungen aus zwei bundesweiten Onlinebefragungen

“…Im Folgenden wird die Methodik der beiden Querschnittserhebungen kurz skizziert, eine detaillierte Darstellung kann weiteren Publikationen entnommen werden [10,11].…”

“…Im Rahmen des ÖGD-Studisurveys wurde erstmals empirisch und systematisch die Attraktivität des ÖGD als potenzieller Arbeitgeber aus Sicht von Studierenden eruiert [10,11]…”