What predicts doctors' satisfaction with their chosen medical specialty? A Finnish national study.
BACKGROUND
In Finland the number of medical specialists varies between specialties and regions. More regulation of the post-graduate medical training is planned. Therefore, it is important to clarify what predicts doctors' satisfaction with their chosen specialty.


METHODS
A random sample contained 50% of all Finnish doctors under 70 years of age. The respose rate was 50.5%. Working-age specialists were asked to value their motives when choosing a specialty. They were also asked if they would choose the same specialty again. The odds ratios for not choosing the same specialty again were tested.


RESULTS
Diversity of work was the most important motive (74% of respondents). Seventeen percent of GPs would not choose the same specialty again, compared to 2% of ophthalmologists and 4% of pediatricians. A major role of Diversity of work and Prestigious field correlated with satisfaction whereas Chance with dissatisfaction with the specialty.


CONCLUSIONS
Motives and issues related to the work and training best correlate with satisfaction with the specialty.


CONCLUSIONS
When the numbers of Finnish postgraduate medical training posts become regulated, a renewed focus should be given to finding the most suitable speciality for each doctor. Information about employment and career advice should play an important role in this.
Unit of Primary Health Care, Hospital District of Northern Savo, P.O. Box 1777, FI 70211, Kuopio, Finland. teppo.heikkila@fimnet.fi.
Teppo J
TJ
Heikkilä
Emergency Department, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 1777, FI 70211, Kuopio, Finland.
Harri
H
Hyppölä
Finnish Medical Association, P.O. Box 49, FI 00501, Helsinki, Finland.
Jukka
J
Vänskä
Finnish Medical Association, P.O. Box 49, FI 00501, Helsinki, Finland.
Hannu
H
Halila
Finnish Medical Association, P.O. Box 49, FI 00501, Helsinki, Finland.
Santero
S
Kujala
Department of General Practice, School of Medicine, University of Tampere, Kalevantie 4, FI 33014, Tampere, Finland.
Irma
I
Virjo
Department of General Practice, School of Medicine, University of Tampere, Kalevantie 4, FI 33014, Tampere, Finland.
Markku
M
Sumanen
Department of General Practice, School of Medicine, University of Tampere, Kalevantie 4, FI 33014, Tampere, Finland.
Elise
E
Kosunen
Centre of General Practice, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, P.O. Box 2000, FI 33521, Tampere, Finland.
Kari
K
Mattila
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008511:Medicine; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation