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

Bibliographic Data

ID15501444
AuthorsLaura Arnold (0000-0002-0075-4385, Maastricht University, corresponding author), Lisa Kellermann (German Network of Young Professionals in Public Health, 80539 Munich, Germany), Florian Fischer (0000-0002-4388-1245, Kempten University of Applied Sciences), Sophie Gepp (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin), Franziska Hommes (0000-0002-2600-9367, German Network of Young Professionals in Public Health, 80539 Munich, Germany), Laura Jung (0000-0001-5759-8945, Leipzig University), Amir Mohsenpour (0000-0001-8419-2430, Bielefeld University), Dagmar Starke (0000-0002-3773-8960, Academy of Public Health Services, 40472 Duesseldorf, Germany), Jan M Stratil (0000-0002-7905-0558, German Network of Young Professionals in Public Health, 80539 Munich, Germany)
Year2022
Volume19
Issue18
Pages11838-11838
Publication date2022-09-19
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph191811838
PMID36142111
OpenAlexW4296463055
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited33

As in many European countries, the Public Health Service (PHS) in Germany has had considerable difficulties in attracting well-qualified personnel for decades. Despite ongoing political and societal debate, limited empirical research on possible causes and explanations is available. To identify areas of action, we explored reasons for the (lack of) interest in working in the PHS by conducting two cross-sectional surveys among 3019 medical students (MS), public health students, and students from other PHS-relevant fields (PH&ONM) in Germany right before (wave 1, 2019/2020) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (wave 2, 2021). While interest in working in the PHS among MS was low, it was considerably higher among PH&ONM. The prevalent underestimation of the importance of public health and low levels of knowledge about the PHS were identified as potential barriers. Although core activities of the PHS were often considered attractive, they were repeatedly not attributed to the PHS. A negative perception of the PHS (e.g., it being too bureaucratic) was prevalent among students with and without PHS interest, indicating that both a negative image and potentially structural deficits need to be overcome to increase attractiveness. Based on the findings, we propose approaches on how to sustainably attract and retain qualified personnel

Action (physics · Attractiveness · Bureaucracy · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Disease · Pandemic · Perception · Political science · Politics · Public health · Public relations · Sustainability · Health and Medical Studies · Healthcare cost, quality, practices · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Public Health Policies and Education

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access