title: Health information technology and physician career satisfaction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Health information technology (HIT) and physician career satisfaction are associated with higher-quality medical care. However, the link between HIT and physician career satisfaction, which could potentially reduce provider burnout and attrition, has not been fully examined. This study uses a nationally representative survey to assess the association between key forms of HIT and career satisfaction among primary care physicians (PCPs) and specialty physicians.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of physician career satisfaction using the Community Tracking Study Physician Survey, 2004-2005. Nine specific types of HIT as well as the overall adoption of HIT in the practice were examined using multivariate logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physicians who used five to six (odds ratio [OR] = 1.46) or seven to nine (OR = 1.47) types of HIT were more likely than physicians who used zero to two types of HIT to be "very satisfied" with their careers. Information technology usages for communicating with other physicians (OR = 1.31) and e-mailing patients (OR = 1.35) were positively associated with career satisfaction. PCPs who used technology to write prescriptions were less likely to report career satisfaction (OR = 0.67), while specialists who wrote notes using technology were less likely to report career satisfaction (OR = 0.75).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using more information technology was the strongest positive predictor of physicians being very satisfied with their careers. Toward that end, healthcare organizations working in conjunction with providers should consider exploring ways to integrate various forms of HIT into practice.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Professions, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors.forename: Keith T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Elder
authors.forename: Jacqueline C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Wiltshire
authors.forename: Ronica N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Rooks
authors.forename: Rhonda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Belue
authors.forename: Lisa C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Gary
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D034201:Computers, Handheld / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019468:Disease Management; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013038:Specialization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
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