Which factors affect job satisfaction of doctors in psychiatry?

Recent reports have described challenges in retaining and recruiting psychiatrists in public mental health care. To improve the work situation for doctors, the Norwegian Psychiatric Association (NPA) conducted surveys to explore job satisfaction among its members. The purpose of this study is to explore how doctors in mental health services perceive their work, and factors affecting their job satisfaction.

A Questback survey was sent to all employed members of NPA in June 2020 and in December 2021. In the first survey, 670 members (37%) responded and 903 (43%) in the second. Job satisfaction was measured on a Likert scale from one to five. Linear regression was used to examine associations between work-related factors and job satisfaction.

In 2021, more than half of the respondents (56%) were satisfied, 16% were dissatisfied and 27% were neutral. The oldest and youngest doctors were most satisfied (p < 0.001). Partial treatment responsibility was related to reduced job satisfaction (β = -0.23, p < 0.001) as well as access to an experienced colleague (β = 0.39, p < 0.001), time for direct patient contact (β = 0.17, p < 0.001) and ability to treat patients in a satisfactory manner (β = 0.52, p < 0.001). Job satisfaction decreased from 2020 to 2021.

Psychiatrists seem to be torn between treating their own patients and having medically responsible for other therapists' patients. Time for patient contact and discussions with colleagues are crucial for psychiatrists' well-being at work.