Factors associated with physicians' choice of working sector: a national longitudinal survey in Finland.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse factors affecting physicians' choice to work in either the public or the private sector.


METHODS
We undertook a longitudinal data analysis in the years 1988, 1993, 1998 and 2003 (n = 12 909) using a multilevel modelling technique. Factors related to economic factors, physician identity, appreciation as well as demographic factors were hypothesised to influence sector choice.


RESULTS
Physicians seem to make their career choices prior to graduation, at least to some extent. Wage levels, the physician's personal characteristics and whether or not the physician knew his or her place of work before graduation were the key factors affecting the decision-making process in the years 1988, 1993, 1998 and 2003. Physicians for whom wages were important were less likely to choose the public sector. Also, physicians who regarded themselves as entrepreneurial preferred to work in the private sector. If a physician had worked in the public sector during his or her medical training before graduation, the probability of applying for a vacancy in the public sector was higher.


CONCLUSIONS
It is not only economic factors, such as salary, that are involved in the physician's decision to choose the working sector.
Kankaanranta
Terhi
T
Tampere School of Public Health, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. kankaanranta@uta.fi
Vainiomäki
Jari
J
Autio
Ville
V
Halila
Hannu
H
Hyppölä
Harri
H
Isokoski
Mauri
M
Kujala
Santero
S
Kumpusalo
Esko
E
Mattila
Kari
K
Virjo
Irma
I
Vänskä
Jukka
J
Rissanen
Pekka
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D003657:Decision Making; D016520:Entrepreneurship; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D017149:Private Sector / Q000191:economics; D017150:Public Sector / Q000191:economics; D000078329:Workforce