Workload and job satisfaction among Austrian pediatricians: gender and generational aspects

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate different factors that may contribute to workload and job satisfaction among Austrian pediatricians. METHODS: We conducted an online survey with 16 questions and performed statistical analyses. RESULTS: Of 375 participating pediatricians, 61% were female, 39% male, 61% clinicians, 21% panel doctors and 12% private doctors. Overall, job satisfaction was moderate (6 ± 2.4 on a positive scale of 0-10). Higher working hours (p = 0.014) and higher patient numbers (p = 0.000) were significantly associated with lower job satisfaction. Lowest satisfaction was described for administrative or other nonmedical work. Lack of time for patient consultation was also correlated with poor satisfaction. Pediatricians older than 65 years reported the highest job satisfaction whereas pediatricians between 55 and 65 years and younger than 36 years showed the lowest scores. Although male pediatricians worked significantly more often more than 40 h per week than females (75% vs. 53%, p = 0.000), female pediatricians were less satisfied about the proportion of administrative (p = 0.015) and other nonmedical work (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: New working models considering less workload, particularly less nonmedical work and intensified collaboration between pediatric clinicians and practitioners are needed to allow more available time per patient, to increase job satisfaction and thus to raise attractivity for pediatric primary care.