Professional characteristics and job satisfaction among SGIM members: a comparison of part-time and full-time physician members.
BACKGROUND
As more physicians work part-time (PT), the faculty, institutions, and organizations that represent them should understand the factors that motivate and satisfy these physicians.


OBJECTIVE
Compare factors associated with job satisfaction among PT and full-time (FT) academic physicians.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Members of the Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM), a national, academic Internal Medicine organization.


RESULTS
Fifty percent (1,396 of 2,772) of SGIM members responded, 11% work PT. Compared to FT, PT physicians were more often female (85% vs 38%, p < .001), clinicians (Cs) or clinician-educators (CEs) (84% vs 56%, p < .001), and of a lower rank (77% vs 61%, p = .001). Job satisfaction was similar between PT and FT Cs and CEs. For PT Cs and CEs, record of publication (11% vs 21%, p = .04) and local and national recognition (24% vs 36%, p = .03) were less important to overall job satisfaction compared to FT Cs and CEs. In multivariate analysis, academic rank (odds ratio [OR] = 7.18, 95%CI = 1.40-36.50) was associated with higher satisfaction among PT Cs and CEs.


CONCLUSIONS
PT and FT C and CE SGIM members report similar satisfaction, but different factors contribute to satisfaction. Knowing what motivates and satisfies PT physicians may allow medical centers to retain faculty and create positions to help them to fulfill their potential.
Levine
Rachel B
RB
Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. rlevine@jhmi.edu
Harrison
Rebecca A
RA
Mechaber
Hilit F
HF
Phillips
Christopher
C
Gallagher
Thomas H
TH
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012955:Societies, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D016526:Workload