title: Evaluating the lifestyles of physicians and PAs in orthopedics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Limited current research is available comparing job satisfaction and lifestyles of physicians and physician assistants (PAs). Given the professional similarities and the upward trend in employment for both professions, this research is important in educating future professionals and employers. This study examined job contentment among orthopedic physicians and PAs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was designed to assess career and lifestyle satisfaction. The survey was e-mailed to orthopedic clinics across the United States.
  
  
  RESULTS
  27 PAs and 50 physicians completed the survey. Compared with physicians, PAs were more likely to recommend their career and to desire to switch specialties. Physicians reported a higher level of agreement that the professional schedule overshadows personal life, and that the stress and demand of the profession impair personal health.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PAs in orthopedics self-reported a higher lifestyle satisfaction than physicians. One specialty was examined and larger, more diverse studies should be conducted.
authors.affiliation: Katherine M. Shannon was a student at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., when this article was written. She is now a PA student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Daniel J. Merenstein is director of research programs in the department of family medicine at Georgetown University. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Shannon
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Merenstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010823:Physician Assistants / Q000523:psychology*; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult