Motivation to work and attitudes towards retirement among physicians.

BACKGROUND

The healthcare system is currently in a state of tension due to a shortage of physicians, the early retirement of health care professionals and an increasing need for care within an (aging) society. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine physicians' attitudes towards retirement and possible influencing factors on their motivation to work.

METHOD

Data were collected as part of a baseline survey of a long-term study. The sample includes a variety of physicians (n = 625), working in outpatient or inpatient care, who have not yet reached the retirement age of 67. The primary outcome was to survey attitudes towards retirement using the Motivation to Work scale. Work-related characteristics (e.g., with regard to contract or working hour) as well as job satisfaction, overall health, and burnout were also included in the analyses (correlations and linear regression models).

RESULTS

According to the results, sociodemographic characteristics are not significantly related to motivation to work, whereas the other parameters (satisfaction, health, and burnout) influence attitudes towards retirement significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

The results underline the need to improve the occupational conditions of physicians across different medical settings. More research is needed to understand physicians' decision-making with regard to retirement, especially in terms of work-related characteristics and differences.