title: Professional satisfaction of family physicians in Pakistan--results of a cross-sectional postal survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the level of professional satisfaction amongst family physicians of Pakistan and to identify the factors associated with professional dissatisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was part of a larger national survey for "Status of PostgraduateTraining and Continuing Medical Education of Family Physicians in Pakistan" which was a cross-sectional, postal survey of family physicians conducted over 10 months between November 2009 and September 2010. The main outcome variables were professional satisfaction, as well as reasons for professional satisfaction and dissatisfaction. SPSS 17 was used for data analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with professional dissatisfaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the total 1200 survey forms distributed, 288 (24%) were received back. The mean age of the participants was 37 +/- 9 years with a range between 26 and 72 years. Of the total, 226 (78.5%) were males. Overall, 213 (74%) family physicians were satisfied with their profession. The factors significantly associated with professional dissatisfaction included the participants opinion that they were not respected by the public (OR: 11.6, C.I: 1.9-71.5); as well as regretting being a doctor (OR:62.9, C.I: 8.4-469.8).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most of the family physicians had professional satisfaction, but a minority had regrets about being a doctor and were dissatisfied over how their profession affected their family life. Further research may be needed to study work-life balance amongst family physicians of Pakistan.
authors.forename: Hiba
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ashraf
authors.forename: Nasir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Fahad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Anwer
authors.forename: Hina
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Akhtar
authors.forename: Mairaj Anwar
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Abro
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology*