Doctors in Greifswald are fighting for electronic occupational safety!

Doctors in Greifswald are fighting for electronic occupational safety!

Things are simmering in the Greifswald University Medical Center: From January 1, 2025, doctors' working hours must be recorded electronically on TV Doctors. This is stipulated by the latest regulation, which is intended to document all attendance at the workplace - of course minus the breaks actually granted. Unfortunately, the Greifswald Clinic does not currently meet the requirements. Instead of correct electronic recording, only handwritten lists are kept, which are then transferred to a roster system. The Marburg Bund has already pointed out these grievances and warns of the dangers of this inaccurate method. The current practice can be subsequently manipulated and denies doctors a clear overview of their working hours.

Dr. Claudia Hellweg, Chairwoman of the Marburg Federation of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, puts it in a nutshell: “Adequate electronic recording is necessary in order to pay overtime correctly and comply with maximum working time limits.” In doing so, it not only addresses the interests of doctors, but also the patient-oriented quality of care. Without proper recording, overtime and workload can be difficult to track.

The new regulation in detail

The new regulation on electronic time recording is not only a step in the right direction, it is binding for all university hospitals in Germany. The “TV Doctors” collective agreement, which is being negotiated between the Marburger Bund and the Collective Bargaining Association of German States (TdL), applies to over 20,000 doctors in university hospitals. Loud Medical positions In this context, clinics must provide electronic terminals or time recording devices to ensure manipulation-free “positive working time recording”.

Previously, such regulations were only mandatory under certain conditions, but from January all attendance will be documented. Breaks only count if they are included in the roster and can actually be taken. Manipulations, such as the repeated release of times by superiors or the subsequent removal of recorded times, are completely excluded under the new regulations.

Low acceptance of electronic time recording

However, a look at the doctors' experiences reveals a sobering picture. According to a survey by the Marburger Bund from spring 2025, just 17% of those surveyed have electronic and manipulation-free time recording. A shocking 83% said they had not implemented this rule. This not only has fatal consequences for the recording of overtime, but also for the health of doctors. Around 68% feel cheated out of their recovery time and 52% report financial disadvantages. In addition, more than half of those surveyed stated that they suffered from greater exhaustion and an increased risk of burnout. The mood among doctors is corresponding: 57% feel less motivated.

“The consistent implementation of the regulation for electronic working time recording is essential,” emphasizes Dr. Hellweg, while the Greifswalder Hospital continues to see itself as responsible for implementing the regulations in a timely manner. Until then, it remains to be seen whether anything will actually change in the tense situation.