Job satisfaction of general practitioners in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

ISRCTN	ISRCTN91841572
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN91841572
Sponsor	Rostock University Medical Center
Funder	Rostock University Medical Center

Submission date: 16/12/2025
Registration date: 26/01/2026
Last edited: 26/01/2026

Recruitment status: Not yet recruiting
Overall study status: Ongoing
Condition category: Other

Prospectively registered

Protocol

Statistical analysis plan

Results

Individual participant data

Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Low job satisfaction as a result of work-related stress is associated with both increased health risks for the doctors concerned and a reduced quality of medical care. In an international study from 2019, Germany ranked last in terms of job satisfaction among general practitioners. In 2019, the German region Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania not only had the third oldest population among all federal states, with an average age of 47.2 years, but it is also the fastest ageing federal state in Germany. The increasing proportion of multimorbid, chronically ill patients poses enormous challenges for the healthcare of the ageing population. These challenges are further exacerbated by the evident shortage of medical professionals. At the same time, digital transformation measures such as the expansion of telematics infrastructure are being driven forward under the pressure of efficiency and cost constraints in healthcare. General practitioners (GPs) are expected to establish new requirements for the documentation and transfer of medical data and must adapt their practice structures accordingly on their own responsibility.
The aim of this study is to determine the current level of job satisfaction among general practitioners in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and the factors influencing it. The data collected will be compared with that from the 2011 questionnaire survey on job satisfaction among general practitioners in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The findings will form a data basis for (professional) policy measures aimed at securing and improving the quality of GP care and attracting young people to general practice in the federal state.

Who can participate?
All general practitioners registered and employed in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (Germany) in 2026 will be contacted in writing and asked to participate in an online survey.

What does the study involve?
Participation includes answering an online survey on job satisfaction (88 items) and socio-demographic characteristics (20 items).

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participating GPs help to identify aspects of general practice that are associated with dissatisfaction. The results are intended to help local and national decision-makers optimise healthcare structures. In this respect, participants have the opportunity to express their wishes and concerns and thus influence future developments. There are no risks associated with participation.

Where is the study run from?
The study is being conducted at the Institute of General Practice at Rostock University Medical Center (Germany)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
February 2026 to May 2026

Who is funding the study?
The study is financed by budgetary funds from the Institute of General Practice at Rostock University Medical Center (Germany)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Christin Löffler, christin.loeffler@med.uni-rostock.de

Contact information

Dr Christin Löffler
Scientific, Public, Principal investigator

Institute of General Practice at Rostock University Medical Center
Doberaner Str. 142 (Villa im Hof)
Rostock
18057
Germany

ORCID ID	0000-0001-5763-7588
Phone	+49 (0)381 494 2485
Email	christin.loeffler@med.uni-rostock.de

Study information

Primary study design	Observational
Observational study design	Cross sectional study
Scientific title	Job satisfaction of general practitioners in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Study objectives	We aim to record and analyse the job satisfaction of general practitioners in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany, in 2026.
Ethics approval(s)	Submitted 16/12/2025, Ethica committee at Rostock University Medical Center (Ethikkommission an der Medizinischen Fakultät der Universität Rostock, St.-Georg-Str. 108, Rostock, 18055, Germany; +49 (0)381 494 9900; ethik@med.uni-rostock.de), ref: N/A
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied	Job satisfaction of general practitioners
Intervention	All general practitioners registered and employed in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in 2026 will be contacted in writing and asked to participate in an online survey. This survey is based on a study conducted in 2011 and has been adapted to the current situation through extensive qualitative studies. The questionnaire is based on 88 items relating to job satisfaction and contains 20 items on the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants.
Intervention type	Not Specified
Primary outcome measure(s)	Overall job satisfaction measured using online survey using 88 items measured on a 5-point Likert scale at February - April 2026
Key secondary outcome measure(s)
Completion date	31/05/2026

Eligibility

Participant type(s)
Age group	Mixed
Lower age limit	20 Years
Upper age limit	99 Years
Sex	All
Target sample size at registration	200
Key inclusion criteria	Registered or employed as a general practitioner in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (Germany)
Key exclusion criteria	Not registered or employed as a general practitioner in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (Germany)
Date of first enrolment	16/02/2026
Date of final enrolment	30/04/2026

Locations

Countries of recruitment

Germany

Study participating centres

Results and Publications

Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share	No
IPD sharing plan summary	Not expected to be made available
IPD sharing plan

Editorial Notes

18/12/2025: Study's existence confirmed by the the Ethics Committee at Rostock University Medical Center.