Factors associated with primary care residents' satisfaction with their training.
OBJECTIVE
Satisfaction is known to impact work performance, learning, recruitment, and retention. This study identifies the factors associated with primary care residents' satisfaction with their training.


METHODS
We used a cross-sectional survey based on the Price-Mueller model of job satisfaction. The model included 14 job characteristics, four personal characteristics, and four demographic factors. Data were collected in February and March 1996 from residents in three primary care training programs (family practice, pediatrics, and internal medicine) at a large academic medical center. The same standardized, self-administered questionnaires were used in all three departments.


RESULTS
Seventy-five percent (n = 119) of the residents returned questionnaires. Five job characteristics were positively associated with resident satisfaction: continuity of care, autonomy, collegiality, work that encourages professional growth, and work group loyalty. Role conflict, a sixth job characteristic, was negatively associated with satisfaction. The personal characteristic of having an optimistic outlook on life was also positively associated with satisfaction. The model explained 66% of the variation in self-reported satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
The satisfaction of the residents was significantly associated with six job characteristics and one personal factor. Interventions based on these job characteristics may increase resident satisfaction and may lead to better patient outcomes, better work performance, greater patient satisfaction, and more success in recruiting top students into a residency.
Randall
C S
CS
Department of Family Practice, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA.
Bergus
G R
GR
Schlechte
J A
JA
McGuinness
G
G
Mueller
C W
CW
D004493:Education / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D007484:Iowa; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000193:education*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires