Vocation and employment opportunities increase physicians' satisfaction with their profession

Background  The motivations for studying medicine have changed in recent years. This study investigated the factors that influenced the decision to apply to medical school and the impact of those factors on job satisfaction.

Methods  The data was based on the Physician 2023 survey, which was implemented as a random sampling of physicians under the age of 70. In total, 4,885 (49%) responses were received. Associations between applying factors were examined via factor analysis, and job satisfaction via logistic regression.

Results  The single most common factor in the respondents' decision to study medicine was their interest in people (81 %). Among the motivational factors, good pay was of greater influence for respondents under 40 (mean on the five-point scale 2,90; 95% CI 2,87-2,93) and those working in health centres (2,82; 2,77-2,87), with broad employment opportunities important for those working in hospitals (2,61; 2,57-2,66). Women were more influenced by vocation and success at school, while men were more influenced by good pay and employment opportunities. In terms of motivation to apply, job satisfaction was increased by vocation (OR 1,4; 95% CI 1,29-1,53) and broad employment opportunities (1,21; 1,11-1,32) as well as by male gender (1,28; 1,06-1,53).

Conclusions  Vocation and broad employment opportunities increased job satisfaction and decreased dissatisfaction. Physicians' opportunities to fulfil their vocation and work motivation need to be strengthened.