Why are some medical specialists working part-time, while others work full-time?

Area of Science:

• Medical workforce research
• Healthcare management
• Sociology of work

Background:

• Part-time work is rising globally among medical specialists.
• Understanding motivations for part-time work is crucial for workforce planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the reasons why some medical specialists work part-time.
• To identify factors influencing the willingness to work part-time versus full-time.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire survey of internists, surgeons, and radiologists in Dutch general hospitals.
• Analysis of reported reasons and a theoretical model based on goal-directed behavior and restrictions.
• Multilevel analysis to test the theoretical model and reported frequencies.

Main Results:

• The primary reasons for working part-time and willingness to do so are family and leisure.
• Medical specialists working part-time are more likely to be female, older, and have young children.
• Surgeons are the least likely to work part-time; willingness is an individual choice.

Conclusions:

• Part-time work in medicine is influenced by both personal and professional factors.
• Organizational barriers to part-time work should be addressed.
• The widespread willingness to work part-time suggests a potential preference for adjusted working hours across the medical profession.