Professional characteristics and job satisfaction among SGIM members: A comparison of part-time and full-time physician members

BACKGROUND: As more physicians work part-time (PT), the faculty, institutions, and organizations that represent them should understand the factors that motivate and satisfy these physicians. OBJECTIVE: Compare factors associated with job satisfaction among PT and full-time (FT) academic physicians. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. PARTICIPANTS: Members of the Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM), a national, academic Internal Medicine organization. RESULTS: Fifty percent (1,396 of 2,772) of SGIM members responded, 11% work PT. Compared to FT, PT physicians were more often female (85% vs 38%, p <.001), clinicians (Cs) or clinician-educators (CEs) (84% vs 56%, p <.001), and of a lower rank (77% vs 61%, p=.001). Job satisfaction was similar between PT and FT Cs and CEs. For PT Cs and CEs, record of publication (11% vs 21%, p=.04) and local and national recognition (24% vs 36%, p=.03) were less important to overall job satisfaction compared to FT Cs and CEs. In multivariate analysis, academic rank (odds ratio [OR]=7.18, 95%CI=1.40-36.50) was associated with higher satisfaction among PT Cs and CEs. CONCLUSIONS: PT and FT C and CE SGIM members report similar satisfaction, but different factors contribute to satisfaction. Knowing what motivates and satisfies PT physicians may allow medical centers to retain faculty and create positions to help them to fulfill their potential.