Dissatisfaction of professionals in family medicine: an intrinsic problem of doctors

Abstract

Objective: To assess the degree of professional satisfaction of general/family practitioners and its associated factors. Type of Study: Cross-sectional survey. Population: All general/family practitioners who were members of the Northern Chapter of the Portuguese Medical Association College of General/Family Practitioners in 1993 (n=1097). Methods: In February 1994, we sent by post an anonymous, self-filled questionnaire which included a group of 21 questions on professional satisfaction, to be answered using 5-category Likert scales. Later, non-responders were contacted by phone. Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the 326 respondents and the 59 non-respondents. Globally, 47% of the 385 GPs who participated in this survey were unsatisfied with their job. Professional practice aspects pointed out by over 50% of the doctors as being a cause for lack of satisfaction were: low wages (82%), impossibility to use cutting-edge techniques (82%), lack of acknowledgement of their dedication to work (60%), the way their health unit is run (57%), work monotony (55%), ways available to help their patients, and hours of work (53%). On the other hand, factors associated with the highest levels of satisfaction (over 80% of satisfied doctors) were: trying to listen (87%), know better (84%), and help (83%) patients with their problems. Statistically significant differences concerning the degree of satisfaction were found in relation to these doctors socio-demographic characteristics (e.g.: gender, age, marital status), as well as in their professional characteristics (e.g.: length and height of career, type of work regime, number of consultations, family income). Conclusions: The factors most related to lack of professional satisfaction among general/family practitioners are of an extrinsic nature, i.e., they have to do with poor work conditions.