Satisfaction of country doctors

A survey of doctors in Saskatchewan communities with fewer than 5,000 residents was conducted to determine which factors were important in maintaining job satisfaction. The response rate was 57 percent. A three-item measure of satisfaction linked the doctors' responses to a 62-item questionnaire covering professional and non-professional issues related to their rural practice. Individual variables of importance in explaining satisfaction were family factors ranging from spousal employment to children's education, availability of recreational facilities or activities and entertainment, the opportunity for social interaction, ability to have periodic rests, workload and compensation.