Cancer care and residents' working hours in oncology and hematology departments: an observational real-time study in German hospitals.

Background: Physicians currently working in hematology and oncology wards are often frustrated with their working conditions. They express dissatisfaction with the working hours, poor organization of work and a low salary compared with the burdens of cancer care. However, to date, there have been no real-time observational studies to verify these subjective reports. Therefore, this study is the first to provide objective data about residents' workload.

Methods: A real-time task analysis was conducted by individually observing 21 hematology and oncology residents at German hospitals. A total of 626 h of observation were performed using an Ultra Mobile PC.

Results: The residents observed in this study worked an average of 9 h 56 min per day, during which time was divided among the following activities: 31.20% for internal communication, 22.06% for indirect patient care and 10.99% for ward rounds. Per workday residents spent an average 6.20% of their shift time talking to patients.

Conclusions: This study provides the basis for future analyses on physicians' workflow. Some key results may be used to recommend measures to improve physicians' work performance and the quality of cancer care.