Satisfaction, Motivation, and Retention in Academic Faculty Incentive Compensation Systems: A CERA Survey

Area of Science:

• Academic Medicine
• Family Medicine Research
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Incentive compensation systems (ICSs) are prevalent in academic family medicine.
• Little is known about their specific impact on individual faculty satisfaction, motivation, and retention.
• Further understanding is needed regarding the relationship between ICSs and faculty outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of incentive compensation systems on faculty satisfaction, motivation, and retention in academic family medicine.
• To analyze faculty perceptions of ICSs within the academic family medicine context.

Main Methods:

• A nationwide survey was conducted by the Council of Academic Family Medicine (CAFM) Educational Research Alliance (CERA) in 2013.
• The study focused on a subset of questions related to incentive compensation from a larger omnibus survey.
• Data analysis included response rates and statistical examination of faculty experiences with ICSs.

Main Results:

• A 53% response rate was achieved, with 70% of faculty eligible for some form of incentive compensation.
• Overall faculty satisfaction with ICSs was moderate (38% satisfied or highly satisfied).
• Faculty perceptions of the system's appropriateness, clarity, and due process were linked to satisfaction, motivation, and retention.

Conclusions:

• While common, ICSs in academic family medicine do not consistently motivate faculty or enhance retention.
• The design and implementation processes of ICSs significantly influence faculty satisfaction, motivation, and intent to remain in their positions.