Work profile of Belgian hospital paediatricians as assessed by the head of the department of paediatrics

Introduction: As in other European countries, Belgian hospitals encounter difficulties in recruiting paediatricians. In order to better understand the underlying problem and the needs, it is mandatory to have an insight in the work profile. Methods: In 2007, a questionnaire was sent to the head of the department of paediatrics in all Belgian hospitals. Characteristics about the intra- and extrahospital medical activities were collected. Data were encoded by two separate persons and compared through a software program. Results: The response rate was 80 %. The mean total medical activity is 9.4 half days a week. The mean number of week- and weekend days being on call is almost twice as high in a regional hospital compared to an university hospital. There is no gender difference in the time spent in the different types of medical activity in the hospital. Male paediatricians do spent more time in clinical activity outside the hospital compared to their female colleagues (2.8 vs 1.95 half days). The mean clinical hospital activity of male paediatricians decreases at the age of 60-64, compared to 55 for their female colleagues. Conclusion: The number of days on-call per paediatrician is much higher in regional vs university hospitals. The mean medical activity of male and female paediatricians is only different for the clinical activity outside the hospital. The hospital activity of female paediatricians decreases at an earlier age than that of their male colleagues. These findings could be important in the view of the increasing feminization in paediatrics.