Women working as family docs report high career satisfaction overall

(HealthDay)—Women working as family doctors from 49 countries report high career satisfaction overall, according to a study published online Oct. 19 in Family Practice.

Jinan Usta, M.D., M.P.H., from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon, and colleagues examined the working conditions and career satisfaction of women family physicians across multiple countries using a cross-sectional survey. The validated Physician Work-Life Survey was used to measure aspects of physician job satisfaction. Overall, 315 participants from 49 countries responded to the survey, with 205 complete responses.

The researchers found that career satisfaction was high overall for women family physicians (8.2 ± 2.3), but women were less satisfied with certain aspects of their career, including pay (5.3 ± 3.4), personal time (3.5 ± 2.6), and administrative tasks (3.2 ± 3.7). Satisfaction with personal career aspects was universal at the continent and income level, despite the widespread experience of sexism at work; there was variation noted in satisfaction with other career aspects relevant to relationships in work environment and resources.

"Despite all obstacles in the work environment, especially regarding the pay and administrative burden and lack of personal time, women family physicians are satisfied with their careers," a coauthor said in a statement. "Nevertheless, this does not mean that employers should not work on improving their work environment and make it safer and equitable with men doctors."

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