Does Career Dissatisfaction Affect the Ability of Family Physicians to Deliver High-Quality Care?
March 2002
Journal of Family Practice, Vol. 51, No. 3 (March 2002)
Jennifer DeVoe, George E. Fryer, J. Lee Hargraves, Robert L. Phillips, Larry A. Green
usual source of care is associated with better health outcomes. Dissatisfaction among family physicians and general practitioners (FT/GPs) may compromise the accessibility of a usual source of care and the quality of services. This study examines the association between FP/GP dissatisfaction and an inability to deliver high-quality care.
Among FP/GPs in 1996-97, more than 17% were dissatisfied. Age was the most significant person factor associated with dissatisfaction; 25.1% of those aged 55 to 64 reported dissatisfaction compared with only 10.1% of those younger than 35. Other personal or professional characteristics significantly associated with FP/GP dissatisfaction included osteopathic training, graduation from a foreign medical school, full practice ownership, and an income of less than $100,000. Physicians dissatisfied with their careers were much more likely to report difficulties in caring for patients.
The study is based on a secondary data analysis of HSC's Community Tracking Study Physician Survey (1996-1997).
Free access to this article is available at the Journal of Family Practice Web site.
