Part-time physicians...prevalent, connected, and satisfied.
OBJECTIVE
The health care workforce is evolving and part-time practice is increasing. The objective of this work is to determine the relationship between part-time status, workplace conditions, and physician outcomes.


METHODS
Minimizing error, maximizing outcome (MEMO) study surveyed generalist physicians and their patients in the upper Midwest and New York City.


RESULTS
Physician survey of stress, burnout, job satisfaction, work control, intent to leave, and organizational climate. Patient survey of satisfaction and trust. Responses compared by part-time and full-time physician status; 2-part regression analyses assessed outcomes associated with part-time status. Of 751 physicians contacted, 422 (56%) participated. Eighteen percent reported part-time status (n = 77, 31% of women, 8% of men, p < .001). Part-time physicians reported less burnout (p < .01), higher satisfaction (p < .001), and greater work control (p < .001) than full-time physicians. Intent to leave and assessments of organizational climate were similar between physician groups. A survey of 1,795 patients revealed no significant differences in satisfaction and trust between part-time and full-time physicians.


CONCLUSIONS
Part-time is a successful practice style for physicians and their patients. If favorable outcomes influence career choice, an increased demand for part-time practice is likely to occur.
Mechaber
Hilit F
HF
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33101, USA. hmechabe@med.miami.edu
Levine
Rachel B
RB
Manwell
Linda Baier
LB
Mundt
Marlon P
MP
Linzer
Mark
M
Schwartz
Mark
M
Dowell
Deborah
D
An
Perry
P
Felix
Karla
K
McMurray
Julia
J
Bobula
James
J
Plane
Mary Beth
MB
Scheckler
William
W
Frey
John
J
Sherrieb
Jessica
J
Grettie
Jessica
J
Horner-Ibler
Barbara
B
Maguire
Ann
A
Paluch
Laura
L
Man
Bernice
B
Varkey
Anita
A
Arce
Elizabeth
E
Rabatin
Joseph
J
Riska
Elianne
E
Bigby
JudyAnn
J
Konrad
Thomas R
TR
Leatt
Peggy
P
Babbott
Stewart
S
Williams
Eric
E
D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000639:trends*; D011336:Probability; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance / Q000523:psychology; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*