Working conditions survey and trainees situation: new approach to auditing the situation of European trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology ten years later.
OBJECTIVE
(1) To review the training and working conditions for trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology (Ob/Gyn) in Europe. (2) To suggest further improvements in working conditions for trainees in Ob/Gyn.


METHODS
It is an observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study. The sample is constituted of the answers from the representatives of 25 European Network of Trainees in Ob/Gyn (ENTOG) member countries to a survey designed by ENTOG's executive. The current survey is based on the former ENTOG working conditions survey published in 1997, but has been extended to include questions that have become important recently, and to include new countries that have entered the European Union (EU) since that time.


RESULTS
The total number of trainees represented in this study is 6056. The male/female ratio is 35/65. The average number of official working hours is 51.6 h weekly, but varies widely. The average number of duties/month is five, but varies widely from two to nine. Fewer than 50% of countries have a hospital visitation system implemented. Training abroad is possible in most training systems. Compared with the 1997 survey further harmonisation is taking place.


CONCLUSIONS
Steps towards harmonisation are being made. Hospital visitation systems should be further introduced. Not all countries have remunerated training posts. Assessment should become more homogeneous. Compliance with the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) is a big challenge.
Rodríguez
David
D
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. drodriguez@hsjdbcn.org
Christopoulos
Panagiotis
P
Martins
Nuno
N
Pärgmäe
Pille
P
Werner
Henrica M J
HM
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education*; D016526:Workload