The Neurologist's Work Flow - A Full Work Analysis at German Hospitals

Background During the past few years, neurologists have often complained about their working situation. It is necessary to analyse these statements using not only questionnaires but also by carrying out objective task analyses. However, such data are not available at present. Therefore, the aim of the present investigation was to observe neurologists during their work at German hospital departments and evaluate their working routines. Method Twenty neurologists were shadowed individually during 553 working hours. By using an ultra mobile computer all tasks performed by these physicians were collected within this time. Results On average eighty different job tasks were undertaken within an average working day of 9 hours 13 minutes (SD = 1:04:48 h). These tasks included time shares spent on, i.e., meetings, indirect and direct patient care as well as ward rounds and admission to hospital. Conclusion This is the first job task analysis on how neurologists spend their working hours at German hospitals. Some self-reported problems about work obstacles, administration duties and multitasking could be confirmed. These findings make a contribution towards prospective optimisation processes on the working situation of German neurologists