Changes in Work Characteristics and Pediatrician Satisfaction: 2012-2020.

Area of Science:

• Physician Workforce Research
• Occupational Health
• Medical Education

Background:

• Pediatrician work satisfaction is crucial for retention and quality of care.
• Longitudinal data on factors influencing pediatrician job satisfaction are limited.
• Understanding career trajectory impacts on satisfaction is essential for addressing physician burnout.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the association between changes in pediatricians' work characteristics and their job satisfaction over time.
• To identify specific work-related factors that positively or negatively influence pediatrician satisfaction.
• To provide insights for improving work environments and supporting early- to midcareer physicians.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal analysis of data from the American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatrician Life and Career Experience Study (PLACES) (2012-2020).
• Inclusion of 1794 residency graduates (2002-2004 and 2009-2011 cohorts).
• Mixed effects linear regression to assess work satisfaction (4-item scale, 1-5) in relation to time-variant work characteristics.

Main Results:

• Overall mean work satisfaction showed a small but significant decrease from 3.80 (2012) to 3.69 (2020).
• Increased flexibility in work hours (B=0.23) and personal support from colleagues (B=0.18) were strongly associated with increased satisfaction.
• Increased stress from work-life balance and longer work hours correlated with decreased satisfaction scores.

Conclusions:

• Early- to midcareer pediatricians report high satisfaction, but scores show a slight decline over time, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Enhancing work hour flexibility and fostering collegial support are key strategies to improve pediatrician job satisfaction.
• Addressing work-life balance challenges and workload are critical for mitigating dissatisfaction in the pediatric workforce.