[Job satisfaction, intention to leave and leaving the practice of medicine among physicians in Israel: a survey of physicians receiving their licenses in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006].

INTRODUCTION

There is recent evidence that physicians are increasingly dissatisfied with the medical profession and are leaving the profession.

GOALS

To measure job satisfaction and the rate of Leaving the profession among physicians recently licensed in israeL.

METHODS

A telephone survey among 733 doctors; graduates of medical schools in Israel who received their license in 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006.

FINDINGS

A total of 5.5% of the physicians interviewed had stopped practicing medicine. However, among those graduating in 2000 and 2002, 8% Left the profession. Furthermore, 6.5% live abroad, suggesting that 12% of those receiving Israeli Licenses in 2000-2006 are not currently employed as physicians in Israel. In addition to the physicians who actually left, a further 9% had made contact with human resources companies, and 13% reported often thinking about leaving. Satisfaction with external professional factors (physical conditions, work relations, wages, career-family balance) was significantly Lower among those who remain in the profession, compared with those who left. Satisfaction with internal professional factors (significance of work, interest/challenge) was slightLy higher among those staying than those Leaving. The internal factors were the best predictors of intentions to Leave the profession.

CONCLUSION

(1) Discontinuation of medical practice among physicians in Israel has increased in recent year. (2) Satisfaction from work conditions among physicians is lower than among those who Left the medical profession for other positions (e.g., hi-tech, research, medical firms).

SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION

Intentions to leave the profession, combined with dissatisfaction with working conditions (e.g., wages and work relations), paint a gloomy picture of the attitudes towards medicine reported by those remaining in the profession, and of the likelihood of staying, in light of the more prestigious and rewarding employment alternatives.