An empirical investigation of factors influencing career satisfaction of primary care physicians.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine factors that influence career satisfaction of 3 types of primary care physicians (PCPs): internal medicine (IM) physicians, family/general medicine (FGM) physicians, and pediatricians.

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the Center for Studying Health System Change's 2008 Health Tracking Physician Survey. Regression analysis was done to examine the impact of environmental-, practice quality-, compensation-, and demographic-related factors on career satisfaction of IM physicians (n = 504), FGM physicians (n = 693), and pediatricians (n = 363).

Results: Nineteen percent of PCPs have been practicing for ≥30 years. Pediatricians had the highest career satisfaction. Although the threat of malpractice lawsuits significantly lowered career satisfaction (β = -0.177, -0.153, and -0.146), patient interaction (β = 0.242, 0.321, and 0.346) and income (β = 0.132, 0.151, and 0.170) significantly increased career satisfaction of IM physicians, FGM physicians, and pediatricians, respectively. Ownership significantly lowered career satisfaction of IM physicians and pediatricians (β = -0.168 and -0.114, respectively). Inadequate quality care significantly lowered career satisfaction of pediatricians (β = -0.102). The 3 regression models accounted for only 16% (IM physicians), 17% (FGM physicians), and 21% (pediatricians) of the variance in career satisfaction.

Conclusions: Steps like giving adequate time for interaction with patients, reducing potential threats of malpractice lawsuits, and improving income may increase PCPs' career satisfaction.