Image of their careers and of the future of Hungarian psychiatrists

AIM: Former studies call the attention to the somatic and mental dangers of the medical profession. There are some international data relating to the special risk factors of psychiatrists, but only a few Hungarian data are available. The evaluation of the image of the career is necessary because of the social changes and modifications of the health care system. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire screening was performed by the support of the Hungarian Psychiatric Association in 2006. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data, items of the image of the career, questionnaires of the health status and work stress. The present paper summarizes the data relating to the career. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 220 persons (60 males, 160 females). The mean age is 46.9 years. 59.4% of the males and 51.6% of the females work in a clinical/hospital setting, 22-22.9% in outpatient departments. 53.5% of the males and 51.3% of the females have at least two board examinations. In the career preference the personal interest was dominant (males: 86.2%, females: 71.0%). 89.3% of the males and 84.4% of the females would choose again the psychiatry. 35.0% of the males and 23.7% of the females plan to work abroad in five years. In the background of the migration tendency the better financial and work circumstances are predominant (72.5% and 28.8%), but special professional causes also play a role. The intention to come back is high (males: 81.0%, females: 86.8%). CONCLUSION: The data suggest a high level of professional call. However, the high rate of migration tendency relate to the insufficient work circumstances and low level of the social appreciation.