title: Professional Demands and Job Satisfaction in Orthopaedic Trauma: An OTA Member Survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to examine the factors that affect career satisfaction in orthopaedic traumatologists. We hypothesize that the level of stress and career satisfaction in orthopaedic traumatology would be affected by increased number of call nights and work hours.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 30-question survey was emailed to members of the OTA. The survey evaluated 5 critical areas: training/experience, practice characteristics, demands, stress management strategies, and satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  After approval by the OTA research committee, all active and associate US members of the OTA were contacted.
  
  
  METHODS
  The survey was open to the OTA members from July through November of 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1031 members of the OTA, 263 members responded for an overall response rate of 25.5%. Most respondents were fellowship-trained (218, 82.9%) and predominantly young (<5 years in practice, 34.4%) or established surgeons (>15 years in practice, 28.5%). Most surgeons were married (229, 87.1%) and have not been divorced (226, 85.9%). Career satisfaction was statistically improved by belonging to larger practice (P = 0.016), decreased by work for more hours per week (P = 0.001), and improved by taking more call (P = 0.014).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Career satisfaction among orthopaedic trauma surgeons was extremely high. Our results indicate that young surgeons may improve their job satisfaction and potentially prolong their career by limiting the numbers of hours worked, taking a consistent number of calls and joining a larger group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prognostic Level V. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
authors.affiliation: *University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH), Orthopaedic Trauma Institute, San Francisco, CA; †Banner Good Samaritan Orthopaedic Residency, Phoenix, AZ; ‡Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA; and ¶Sonoran Orthopedic Trauma Surgeons, Scottsdale, AZ.
authors.forename: Brian P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Swanson
authors.forename: Hrayr
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Basmajian
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McLemore
authors.forename: Gilbert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ortega
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D066231:Surgeons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014194:Traumatology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce; D016526:Workload / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data