The first half of 2025 brought a double increase in the number of work offers for medics on hiredoc.com – with just over 3.5 thousand. up to nearly 7,400 ads. According to the report “Expectations of doctors and specialists towards employers “, over 55 percent Doctors assess the availability of offers as good or very good. It should be noted that they are largely job offers in the private sector.
Unfortunately, the quantity does not go hand in hand with quality. Although the number of ads has increased, few of them are attractive enough for doctors to take the risk of change. Over half of the respondents assess the proposed employment conditions as “weak” or “medium”. In addition, employers, trying to stand out, offer typically corporate benefits that do not match the reality of the health care sector and go with the actual needs of doctors.
Money is a necessary condition, but insufficient
There is no doubt that finances are the main driving force of doctors' professional decisions. Until 74 percent respondents In the study, Hredoc indicated a higher salary as a key factor that prompts you to change work.
This is confirmed by the study “Diagnosis of doctors' attitudes towards the forms of employment and the proposed remuneration model” of the Supreme Medical Chamber, carried out on a much larger sample. The proposal to introduce a salary at the level of three times the national average on the employment contract met with a positive assessment of nearly 65 percent. respondents. However, when he comes to specific declarations, enthusiasm is weakening. Only 47.7 percent doctors working on contracts would be ready to go on such a full -time job, while 45.1 percent. She is not interested in this.
Why? It turns out that the proposed amount may be insufficient. Most doctors (60 percent) would expect remuneration in the range 30-60 thousand PLN grossto compensate for the loss of flexibility and tax benefits from the contract. An additional problem is the lack of transparency – unclear remuneration principles, an adverse way of determining them and a lack of insight as to market rates are the main barriers indicated by doctors at the stage of searching for work.
Full -time contract. Stability or independence?
The debate about the form of employment is today the heart of the dispute in the medical environment.
Doctors appreciate the stability and social security: paid leave, sick leave, maternity leave or higher pension contributions resulting from the employment contract. They also point to greater legal security of work full -time – limited financial liability in the case of patients' claims – and more regulated working time.
The contract, however, gives something that the full -time job does not provide – freedom. As many as 3086 answers in the NIL study indicated the fear of losing the flexibility of working time. In addition, there are higher tax burdens. Giving up your own business is also associated with a loss of independence. They also emphasized that the hierarchical system in the conditions of the Polish hospital favors mobbing and nepotism.
Doctors want reforms deeper than increases
Just raising your salary, even to an attractive level, will not solve staffing problems. The report “Diagnosis of doctors' attitudes towards forms of employment and the proposed remuneration model” describes in detail the list of postulates that show that doctors expect a comprehensive system reform. In some open questions, the subjects had the opportunity to present their concepts.
The most repetitive postulate is relieving doctors from bureaucracy. It is about the widespread introduction of medical assistants, simplification of documentation and automation of processes such as. Medicine reimbursement.
In addition, doctors expect more care about occupational health and safety. The key in this area is the introduction of the “no-fault” system, i.e. State Compensation Fund for medical errorswhich will remove the pressure and fear of criminal liability.
Another important point is Working time adjustmentcovering the prohibition of duty over 24 hours. and the introduction of a record system modeled on tachographs known from the professional industry of drivers. Psychological support was also high on the priority list and the possibility of taking paid health vacation. In addition, in both reports on the list of expectations of doctors appeared Packages of private medical care.
The second most important, just after remuneration, is a motivational factor professional development. Doctors point to the need co -financing of training, paid training holidays and ensuring access to modern equipment. Administrative support is equally important for them – from an efficient cabinet system to marketing activities that make it easier to reach patients.
Instead of imposed form of employment, doctors want to be able to choose between a stable, well -paid full -time job and a flexible contract. Until 61 percent respondents are opposed to the liquidation of contracts at the National Health Fund. For most, flexibility and independence are worth more than stability, which is why the key is to create such conditions on the employment contract, so that it becomes competitive in the face of self -employment.
Contrary to appearances, there are few medical “stars” with astronomical salaries. For the overwhelming majority of doctors, this profession means frustration, the fight against bureaucracy and earnings that do not compensate for working conditions and huge responsibility. Without deep system changes, even the best rates will not stop them from looking for better conditions in the private or abroad sector.
