[Job satisfaction among physicians during their career].

OBJECTIVE

To examine how the job satisfaction of a cohort Dutch physicians developed between 2000 and 2009.

DESIGN

Longitudinal.

METHOD

In 2000 and 2009 physicians who had begun studying medicine in 1982 and 1983 at the University of Groningen were interviewed over the telephone about different variables of job satisfaction. We analysed differences between each year and between male and female physicians. Additionally, clusters of job satisfaction variables were examined.

RESULTS

We traced 292 of the 333 graduates. A total of 275 physicians (140 men, 135 women) agreed to an interview (response rate 92%). Between 2000 and 2009, average job satisfaction remained stable or even increased slightly. No differences in levels of job satisfaction were found between male and female physicians. Satisfaction on variables representing direct control such as relationships with patients and colleagues was high. It was lower on variables on which physicians have only minor influence such as organizational and administrative aspects.

CONCLUSION

We could not confirm the fear that exists both inside and outside the Netherlands that job satisfaction among physicians is declining.