Are doctors unhappy? A study of residents with an open interview form

Several recent reports show that many physicians feel discontented and unhappy with their work situation. This could in part be due to a decline in status, loss of influence on health care organization, reduced wages etc. It is important to find ways to better understand their experiences of working life to get more facets of this issue. The Medical Management Centre at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm offers courses in leadership for physicians in specialty training (residency). Participants in 2 courses were used in a study of their views of their work situation and their employer, using an open interview form. The results with the residents in the present study do not support the statement that physicians are unhappy. On the contrary, findings in the study indicate that they have a predominantly positive view of their work situation and of their employer. It is proposed that the mixed feelings they show to some extent is a natural stage in professional development. A possible way for achieving a better dialogue between physicians and managers is suggested.