Less direct patient care for fellowship-trained pediatricians

(HealthDay)—Generalist-trained pediatricians have more schedule flexibility and work fewer hours than fellowship-trained pediatricians, although both groups report overall satisfaction with their careers, according to a study published online Sept. 7 in Pediatrics.

Bobby J. Byrne, M.D., from Indiana University in Indianapolis, and colleagues analyzed national, weighted data from 842 pediatricians eight to 10 years after residency. The authors compared work environment, work-life balance, and satisfaction for pediatricians who had pursued fellowship training (39 percent) and those who had not pursued fellowship training (generalist-trained).

The researchers found that, compared with the generalist-trained group, the fellowship-trained group was less likely to spend time in direct patient care and more likely to report learning opportunities in their work environment. Fellowship-trained pediatricians were more likely to report an income of ≥$150,000, although there was no difference seen on examination of full-time pediatricians only. The likelihood of working fewer than 50 hours per week, having flexibility with their schedules, and being satisfied with the time spent with their own children was higher for generalist-trained pediatricians. In both groups, pediatricians found their work to be rewarding and were satisfied with their lives.

"Although residents need to consider important life and career differences when contemplating fellowship training and general care, pediatricians in both groups can achieve overall life and career satisfaction," the authors write.