Survey of Florida physicians. Characteristics and satisfaction

Data from a 1991 physician survey jointly sponsored by the Florida Medical Association and the Florida Physicians Association are used to assess characteristics and satisfaction of Florida physicians in the current environment of increased managed care initiatives. Significant predictors of HMO affiliation include an urban practice location, a low proportion of Medicare patients, and Hispanic ethnicity. Income is negatively associated with HMO-affiliation, although not significantly. Physicians affiliated with HMOs are less satisfied than their counterparts with respect to current and future earnings, skills enhancement opportunities, time with patients, patient appreciation, specialty referral systems, overall quality of practice, opportunity to practice in desired manner, and overall satisfaction. Other results showed that Florida's primary care physicians are less satisfied than other physicians across some components of their practices. Also, HMO-affiliated physicians who participate in managerial decision-making are significantly more satisfied than other physicians.