Table 1 Categorization of hospital physicians' activities

Name of Category

Activity

Patient Communication

1 Patient Communication (regularly, scheduled, ward round)

2 Patient Communication (irregular, due to patient interruption)

Diagnostics

3 Diagnostic I: physical examination of the patient

4 Diagnostic II: blood withdrawal

5 Diagnostic III: machine aided examinations in functional departments

Therapy

6 Therapy I: Drug treatment

7 Therapy II: Physical – non invasive – treatment

8 Therapy III: Invasive treatment

9 Therapy IV: Mixed emergency treatments

10 Therapy V: Surveillance of patients in critical conditions and situations

Consultancy

11 Consultancy service for other departments

12 Examinations for medical opinions

Indirect patient contact

Documentation

13 Documentation/Charting

14 Activity documentation (DRG Coding)

Conversation with staff

15 Conversation with colleagues (patient related)

16 Conversation with nursing staff

17 Conversation with assistance personnel

19 Telephone conversation

Conversation others

18 Conversation with relatives

20 Conversation with Others

Organizing

21 Organization/Work Flow

22 Transfer/Walking times

23 Arranging and ordering things

Meetings

24 Regular meetings with nursing staff

25 Regular meetings with senior and head physician

26 Clinic conference

27 Interdisciplinary conferences

28 Reviews of findings in the department

29 On call in the hospital

Other professional activities

30 Teaching/Instruction

31 Supervision of/by colleagues

32 Research

33 Training/education

34 Reading (Training purpose)

Personal activities

35 Personal time/Regular Breaks

36 Resting/Sleeping